The fine print

摘要

ALAS, our Britain editor, A.D. Miller, missed out on the Man Booker prize, awarded on October i8th. His first novel, "Snowdrops", an amorality tale set in modern Moscow, was one of six short listed for Britain's main literary prize. But he can take heart: this year's list has been the most popular ever—and his was the biggest-selling book on it. He was beaten by a worthy rival in Julian Barnes who, after being shortlisted three times before, bagged the £50,000 award for "The Sense of an Ending", a slim novel about memory. "It was like losing to Brazil in the World Cup final," said Mr Miller.