Yorkshire writer’s latest novel wins major award

The York writer, whose Case Histories detective novel was adapted into a TV series starring Jason Isaacs, has won the Costa novel award for Life After Life, set in wartime Britain.

The prize came 20 years after Atkinson’s first novel, Behind The Scenes At The Museum, was crowned overall winner of the same prize, winning book of the year.

The Costa awards are divided into five categories: first novel, novel, biography, poetry and children’s book, with winners of all sections eligible for book of the year, to be announced later this month.

If Atkinson goes on to win this again she will become the first female author to do so, with Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes the only two authors to have won the overall prize twice.

The Shock Of The Fall, the debut book from former mental health nurse Nathan Filer, 32 – who now teaches creative writing, has won the first novel award.

Writer and TV presenter Clive James was on the shortlist to win the poetry prize for his translation of Italian poet Dante, but was beaten by poet Michael Symmons Roberts – who won the award for the second time, this time with his sixth collection Drysalter.

The children’s book award has been won by political cartoonist, author and illustrator Chris Riddell for Goth Girl And The Ghost Of A Mouse.

Lucy Hughes-Hallett won the biography award for The Pike, an account of the life of poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.