Novelist Andrew Miller has won the 2011 Costa Book of the Year, his first major literary award, for his sixth novel, ‘Pure’.

Set in pre-revolutionary Paris in 1785, ‘Pure’ tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Baratte, an ambitious young engineer, who is assigned the task of emptying the noxious, overflowing Parisian cemetery Les Innocents, and of demolishing its church.

The announcement was made this evening – Tuesday 24th January – at the awards ceremony held at Quaglino’s, London.

Miller beat the bookie’s favourite, poet and debut biographer Matthew Hollis for his work Now All Roads Lead to France: The Last Years of Edward Thomas, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy for The Bees, debut writer, Christie Watson, for Tiny Sunbirds Far Away and first-time author, Moira Young, for Blood Red Road, to win the overall prize and a cheque for £30,000.

Following the judging, Geordie Greig, chair of the final judges, said: “Pure is a rich and evocative historical novel which engrosses with its vivid portrait of pre-revolutionary France. The qualities of Pure stood out for its memorable gothic tale of morality and mortality.”

Greig chaired a final judging panel that included actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, actress Dervla Kirwan, broadcaster Mary Nightingale, novelist Patrick Gale, author Jojo Moyes, historical biographer Flora Fraser, author William Fiennes and children’s writer, Eleanor Updale.

2011 marks the 40th year of the Book Awards which has seen 187 awards being given to writers since its launch in 1971, including literary giants such as Iris Murdoch, Roald Dahl, Ian McEwan, JK Rowling, Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, Philip Pullman, Salman Rushdie, Claire Tomalin, Michael Frayn, William Boyd, Michael Morpurgo and Beryl Bainbridge.

Since the introduction of the Book of the Year award in 1985, it has been won ten times by a novel, four times by a first novel, five times by a biography, five times by a collection of poetry and once by a children’s book.

In 2012, Costa will expand their Book Awards to introduce a new Short Story Award.

For more information please visit www.costabookawards.com.