Hilary Mantel wins Costa novel prize for Bring up the Bodies

Budleigh Salterton-based author Hilary Mantel has added to her growing collection of awards as she has been named as the winner of the The Costa novel prize for the second book in her historical trilogy, Bring up the Bodies. Having already received the accolade of being the first living UK author to receive the Man Booker Prize twice, Hilary is said to be delighted with the latest honour.

The judges described the historical story as "quite simply the best novel of the year". Continuing what began in the Man Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall, the reader is transported back to the court of Henry VIII, to witness the irresistible rise of Thomas Cromwell as he contrives the destruction of Anne Boleyn.

The Costa Book Award is one of the UK's most prestigious and popular literary prizes and recognises some of the most enjoyable books of the year by writers based in the UK and Ireland.

Originally established in 1971 by Whitbread PLC, Costa announced its takeover of the sponsorship of the UK's popular and prestigious book prize in 2006. 2012 marks the 41st year of the Book Awards.

“Once again, our judges have selected five terrific books as Award winners from the various categories,” said Christopher Rogers, Managing Director, Costa. “We’re very proud to be announcing such a diverse and excellent collection of books which we know people will enjoy reading.”

The five Costa Book Award winners, each of whom will receive £5,000, were selected from 550 entries. The five books are now eligible for the ultimate prize - the 2012 Costa Book of the Year.  

The winner, selected by a panel of judges chaired by Dame Jenni Murray, and comprising Jenny Agutter, Katie Derham, Mark Watson, Sophie Ward, Wendy Holden, D.J. Taylor, Daljit Nagra and Marcus Sedgwick, will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted by presenter and broadcaster Penny Smith at Quaglino’s in central London on Tuesday 29th January 2013.

Hilary Mantel now lives in Budleigh Salterton on the Devon coast where she is currently working on the final part of the trilogy – said to be called The Mirror and the Light.