Kelman landed the ?20,000 ($32,000) Booker prize for "How Late It Was, How Late," the tale of an ex-convict who goes on a two-day drinking binge.
He picks a fight with policemen who beat him up and then wakes up in a cell to discover he has gone blind.
The judges waded through 130 entries for this year's prize. Helman fought off a strong challenge from literary journalist Alan Hollinghurst for his explicit gay novel "The Folding Star" about an English tutor's love for his teenage pupil.
But booksellers and bookmakers alike, who usually do a roaring trade in the buildup to the Booker prizegiving, reported interest was minimal this year after critics said the six shortlisted books were dull and elitist.
"Our members say sales have been disappointing. This is not a classic year," said Gill Cronin, marketing executive at The Booksellers Association.
Last year's winner, Dublin teacher Roddy Doyle, won critical and popular acclaim for "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha," a tender story of a child coming to terms with his parents' breakup. It has sold 320,000 copies in the past year.
Famous Booker winners have included Salman Rushdie's 1989 "Midnight's Children" and Thomas Keneally's 1982 "Schindler's Ark" which was later made into the hit film "Schindler's List."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.