Hilary Mantel has been awarded the 2012 Man Booker for her novel,

This is a historic win for the 60-year-old writer who has previously won the Booker in 2009 for Wolf Hall. Only two authors, Peter Carey and J.M. Coetzee, have won the prestigious prize twice before, making Mantel the first female (and British writer) to do the same.

Not to mention, she’s the first author to win for a sequel and to do so with such a brief interlude between books.

Peter Stothard, who chaired the judging panel, said in his comments, ‘…if you’re looking to compare it, you could see as much Don Corleone in this book as DH Lawrence’.

A big congratulations to all the shortlisted authors, including Will Self, Deborah Levy, Jeet Thayil, Alison Moore and Tan Twan Eng.

For more information on the award please visit