Shuggie Bain

The final panel of judges crowned the winner of Fiction: Debut Book of the Year, Shuggie Bain, as The British Book Awards’ Overall Book of the Year. They felt that Douglas Stuart’s novel was a “masterpiece” that would stand the test of time.

Judges described the novel as “immensely powerful: haunting, traumatic and yet tender at the same time”, and commended Stuart’s “unapologetic and vivid” depictions of alcoholism, poverty and pain against the backdrop of 1980s Glasgow and Margaret Thatcher’s prime ministership. What also swung it Shuggie Bain’s way was the publisher’s unwavering enthusiasm and passion for the novel, with the panel praising Picador’s ability to recognise the potential and importance of this book after it was rejected by a dozen other British publishers.

The judges for the overall winner were Peter Frankopan, author and professor; Robbie Millen, literary editor of the Times; Ella Risbridger, author; Kate Skipper, chief operating officer, Waterstones; and Rhys Stephenson, CBBC presenter. The discussion was chaired by The Bookseller’s books editor, Alice O’Keeffe. Ultimately, the panel felt Shuggie Bain is a “exceptionally powerful work of fiction... without a doubt a future classic”.