A ground – breaking victory for the Man Booker prize.

Marlon James has become the first Jamaican writer to win the prestigious literary award for :  A Brief History of Seven Killings.

James’ fictional account of an attempt to take the life of musician Bob Marley is described as “not for the faint of heart” because of its shocking gang vilence, profanity and drug crime.

But the judges also say the 686 page book contains a lot of laughs – and is very human.

44 year-old Marlon James lives in Minneapolis. He receives $77,000 for his win – which is pretty well guaranteed to boost sales big-time for A Brief History of Seven Killings.