The Pegster - reads

The Costa Book Award is an award recognising UK and Irish  - based authors. It is one of the UK's most prestigious literary prices.

There are five categories: First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. One of those is than chosen as the overall winner.

Last night, the 2013 winner was announced, and the overall winner is: 

Nathan Filer with his debut novel 'The Shock of the Fall'

The author is a mental health nurse and the book tells the story of Matthew from aged 5 to his early 20's. Matthew experiences the death of his brother, and is diagnosed with schizophrenia, eventually being detained in a mental health institution. 

I have not read the book, so cannot offer a full review here, but this definitely sounds like a book which would interest me. Mental health issues still have a big stigma attached in society, and anything which can help understanding I think can only be a good thing. 

                                      Nathan Filer with his Costa award-winning book. Photograph: Tal Cohen/EPA