Costa Book Awards 1973: Complete list of winners

The 1973 Costa Book Awards showcased the breadth of British and Commonwealth literary achievement, honoring works that ranged from intimate political biography to whimsical children’s illustration and sharp social observation. That year’s selections reflected a publishing landscape eager to celebrate both established forms and fresh perspectives. The Costa Book Awards, known for championing quality writing across multiple categories, continued their tradition of recognizing excellence that might otherwise be overshadowed in a crowded marketplace.

John Wilson’s meticulous biography of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman claimed the Biography prize, offering readers a detailed exploration of the early twentieth-century Liberal statesman. Meanwhile, Alan Aldridge and William Plomer’s The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast brought imaginative visual storytelling to young readers, while Shiva Naipaul’s debut novel The Chip-Chip Gatherers introduced a compelling new voice in fiction with its portrait of Trinidad society. These winners represented the award’s commitment to recognizing craftsmanship and originality across different genres and audiences.

Below, discover the complete list of 1973 Costa Book Awards winners and finalists:

Biography

• CB: A Life of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman by John Wilson

Children’s Book

• The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast by Alan Aldridge and William Plomer

Novel

• The Chip-Chip Gatherers by Shiva Naipaul