A L Kennedy wins Costa award

Scottish-born writer and stand-up comedian A L Kennedy has won one of Britain's most important literary prizes for her novel about postwar trauma. Kennedy was given the Costa book award - and handed a cheque for £25,000 - for her fifth book, Day, which tells the story of a young man in England trying to recover from the mental trauma of battle in air and captivity in a German prison camp. The book was described by Joanna Trollope, who headed the judging panel, as "perfectly beautifully written" and was the choice of five of the eight judges, who described Kennedy's novel as a masterpiece.

Asked whether the novel was excessively gloomy, Trollope said it was realistic but not depressing. "I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who was profoundly, clinically depressed. You need to work at the novel a little." Jonathan Ruppin, promotions manager of Foyles bookshops , said Kennedy's win was "long overdue recognition for one of Scotland's outstanding talents".

After being presented with the award, Kennedy, 42, said that researching the book had increased her fear of flying, although it did not stop her coming in from the US for last night's ceremony and returning today.

Kennedy is a prolific newspaper and radio commentator and also has a sideline in stand-up comedy, which she has described as "an analgesic" for her. The novelist is known to dislike talking about herself. In an interview last year she said: "I have sex about once every five years. I've lived alone since I was 17. I am slightly tired. My life is not comfortable to me. But I am philosophical."