The Costa Book Awards are a series of literary prizes awarded annually to English-language books published by authors who have lived in Great Britain or Ireland. Jonathan Coe received the award for best novel with his book 'Middle England' on January 6th.
Coe's novel is considered as perfect in its description of today's Britain. Set in the English Midlands, it humorously talks about the issues affecting the country from 2010 to 2018. Among characters appearing in the book are Benjamin Trotter, who already appeared in two previous novels–The Rotters’ Club and The Closed Circle–as well as a married couple who are divided on the stay or leave vote for Europe.
The theme of Middle England is especially timely. John Boyne, writer and Costa jury member, said that “More than anything I’ve read in newspapers or non-fiction, Middle England helped me understand what has led people to vote to leave the EU”.
(Images: Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons)
