Costa Prize 2010

Some interesting things in the recent Costa Prize shortlist (not least RHUL English Department member Jo Shapcott getting nominated in the poetry section for her brilliant collection Of Mutability). But the novel shortlist has surprised some people. Check out the Independent's report, and judge Jonathan Ruppin's comments:

Jonathan Ruppin, web editor at Foyles bookshop, who was one of three judges for the novel award, said the four books on the list were "fantastic stories that really gripped you and with characters that really engaged the reader". But he added that he felt it had not been a particularly strong year for fiction. "We were not spoiled for choice in terms of books that were serious contenders," he said.

Reflecting on the omission of Howard Jacobson's Man Booker prize-winner The Finkler Question and Mitchell's work, he said they had both certainly been contenders, but their work was too cerebral to recommend to the masses. The prize has veered towards more commercial reads in recent times.

In the website comments, 'Tim Footman' adds this: '“...too cerebral to recommend to the masses.” Oh just give the prize to Katie Price and be done with it, for Christ's sake.' He doesn't sound pleased.