Hats off to Julian Barnes for winning the Booker

Full house and the big win for The Sense of an Ending author, shortlisted three times previously, who has described the prize as 'posh bingo.'

Barnes was the bookies' favourite to win the £50,000 Man Booker Prize 2011, which was awarded last night. He was previously shortlisted for Flaubert's Parrot in 1984; England, England in 1988, and Arthur and George in 2005.

The Sense of an Ending is Barnes' first book in six years. Awarding the prize, Booker chair Dame Stella Rimington said: Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending has the markings of a classic of English Literature. It is exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading.'

The run-up to this year's Man Booker announcement has been marked by criticism that the judges were favouring 'readability' over literary merit. Do you think the right writer got the award this year? WM is rather pleased that Mr Barnes has won. Let us know your thoughts on Talkback.

Website: www.themanbookerprize.com