Well I can't say I'm surprised that Hilary Mantel has walked away with yet another award for her novel 'Bring Up the Bodies'. This time it's the Costa Prize for most popular novel of 2012. I am thrilled especially that early this month I re-read the book in spite of the fact that I'd only completed the first read in November of last year. It is the type of book that many will return to many a time. With preparations underway for a stage production of the trilogy (Mantel is currently preparing to release the third and last installment this year) no wonder Mantel is beaming in all the press photos taken of her.
The Costa Book Awards were formerly known as the Whitbread Awards from 1971 until 2005 when Costa Coffee, a subsidiary of the Whitbread took over sponsorship and voila the change of name!
There are five categories to be won and here are the winners with the categories they won the prize for:
First Novel Award: Francesca Segal, 'The Innocents'.Novel Award: Hilary Mantel, 'Bring Up the Bodies'.Children's Book Award: Sally Gardner, 'Maggot Moon'.Poetry Award: Kathleen Jamie, 'The Overhaul'.Biography Award: Mary Talbot and Bryan Talbot, 'Dotter of her Father's Eyes'.