Debut novel claims Man Booker Prize

George Saunders says the stylistic variance within Lincoln In The Bardo is a literary version of the use of sampling in hip hop music. Photo / AP

Geophysicist-turned-author George Saunders has won this years Man Booker Prize for his first full-length novel - a decision which could rekindle a literary row that American writers would come to dominate the contest.

The book, Lincoln In The Bardo, which focuses on the night Abraham Lincoln laid his 11-year-old son to rest in 1862, was hailed as utterly original and praised by judges for its witty, intelligent, and deeply moving narrative.

The 58-year-old writer, who had been favourite to win, was presented with the prestigious literary award and 50,000 ($92,000) prize during a ceremony at the Guildhall in central London, attended by the Duchess of Cornwall.

Saunders becomes the second American author to take home the Man Booker Prize in its 49-year history, after Paul Beatty came top last year with satirical novel The Sellout.

The 2013 decision to open up the prize generated a debate over whether US authors would end up dominating the contest. That debate looks likely to be reopened by Saunders win.

The judging panel deliberated for five hours before unanimously naming Saunders as the winner.

The form and style of this utterly original novel reveals a witty, intelligent, and deeply moving narrative, said Baroness Lola Young, chairwoman of the judges.

Lincoln In The Bardo details the evening of February 22, 1862 - when a grief-fuelled Lincoln visited his sons crypt - exploring themes of death, grief and the possibilities of life, as well as the contrast between Lincolns personal tragedy and public role.

Saunders told Time magazine that he had not set out to write about the US statesman but was captivated after hearing about Lincolns visit.

The author of six collections of short stories and a long body of journalism, the Texas-born Saunders came to writing relatively late, initially training as a geophysicist.

Earlier this year Saunders told the Financial Times about the style of his novel, which reads like a play and includes real and fictional passages.

I thought about hip-hop sampling and wondered, Can I do something like that in a book? I thought, Yes, if its feeding the central story, then I can do it.

Head judge Young denied any concerns about Saunders nationality, saying: We dont look at the nationality of the writer. Were solely concerned with the book, what that book is telling us.

First awarded in 1969, the Man Booker Prize is recognised as one of the most prestigious in the literary world.

It is the fourth year the awards have been open to any writer regardless of nationality, provided the book was written originally in English and was published in the UK.

The award was previously open only to writers from Britain, Ireland, Zimbabwe or countries in the British Commonwealth.

- PA