How to Be Both by Ali Smith in the best novel category and Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey for best first novel.  The announcement (including winners of the other categories) is here.

Absolutely endorse the best novel winner.  Just yesterday I ranked How To Be Both as one my favourite books of 2014 and I can’t wait to discuss it on the next episode of The Writer and The Critic.  So congratulations to Ali Smith.

And while I wasn’t as fond of Elizabeth Is Missing (I would have given the best novel award to Carys Bray for A Song For Issy Bradley), I can appreciate why it won the award.  Healey’s take on dementia feels both real and genuine.  It’s a shame that the scenes set in the past aren’t as compelling (at least for me).

Still, congratulations to Emma Healey.  I’m sure I’ll be seeing Elizabeth Is Missing on other first novel ballots in 2015.