13 January 2014
The Costa First Novel award has been given to Nathan Filer for The Shock of the Fall, his powerful story of mental illness. Described by Jo Brand as the best account of mental health she had ever read, its authenticity is hard won. Mr Filer teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University, where he is a colleague of mine; he is also a graduate of the course. That, however, isn't the sum of his professional experience: he also had a career as a mental health nurse. It may be sensible for him to continue doing the occasional shift at the hospital, if it produces more novels as good as his debut.