Four-time Man Booker prize nominee Julian Barnes finally won the British literary award Tuesday night for his novel "The Sense of an Ending."
The Guardian said Barnes' book beat out Carol Birch's "Jamrach's Menagerie," Patrick deWitt's "The Sisters Brothers," Esi Edugyan's "Half Blood Blues," Stephen Kelman's "Pigeon English" and A.D. Miller's "Snowdrops" for the honor.
The newspaper quoted the chair of the judges' panel, former MI5 Director General Stella Rimington, as saying Barnes' 150-page book had "the markings of a classic of English Literature."
"It is exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading," Remington said.
The book is about the nature of memory and how people tend to amend the past to suit their well-being.
Asked what he will spend the $79,000 prize money on, The Guardian reported Barnes, 65, said he needed a new watch strap.
"I could buy a whole new watch," he quipped.
Barnes was nominated for the prize in 1984 for "Flaubert's Parrot," in 1998 for "England, England" and in 2005 for "Arthur & George."