Anne Enright's novel 'The Gathering' has won the Man Booker prize

Anne Enright, an outside bet to win the award, beat the bookmakers' favourites Ian McEwan and Lloyd Jones to be named the best novel of the past 12 months and scoop the $100,000 prize.

She also becomes the second Irish author in three years to win the award.

The award, which honours the best fiction written in English by an author from the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth was handed out at the Guildhall in London.

Her book "The Gathering" tells the story of an Irish family who is forced into confronting deep dark secrets after one of them commits suicide.

People really like sad stories and sad stories are there to console us Anne Enright

The judges described it a powerful, uncomfortable and at times, angry book.

Of the six authors in contention for this year's Booker, only McEwan had even been shortlisted in the past. He won in 1998 with Amsterdam.

Europe Today spoke to Anne Enright and asked her if she thought winning the prize would be a life-changing experience.

Anne Enright

First broadcast 17th October