M John Harrison becomes first science fiction author to win the Booker prize

M John Harrison, an 81-year-old author, has won the Booker Prize for his postapocalyptic novel 'The End of Everything'. This is the first time a science fiction author has won the award, and Harrison is the oldest winner in its history. The novel is set on a near-future Kent coast and follows the story of Phillip Tennent and his aunt as they try to survive the mysterious 'iGhetti', shape-changing beings. The book was the shortest on the shortlist at 198 pages and received a unanimous decision from the judges, who praised its ability to turn the reader's perspective upside down and offer a twinge of optimism despite the grim subject matter.