Hilary Mantel wins Man Booker prize

LONDON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- British author Hilary Mantel won her second Man Booker Prize for her novel "Bring up the Bodies" at an awards dinner in London Tuesday.

Mantel, 60, is the first woman and the first British writer to win the prize twice. She also is only the third double winner alongside J.M. Coetzee and Peter Carey. In addition, she is the first person to win the prize for two novels in a trilogy, following her success in 2009 with "Wolf Hall."

"This double accolade is uniquely deserved. Hilary Mantel has rewritten the rules for historical fiction. In 'Bring up the Bodies,' our greatest modern writer retells the origins of modern England," said Peter Stothard, chair of judges for the prize, which includes a check for $80,000.

"Bring up the Bodies" is about the bloody downfall of 16th century Queen Anne Boleyn.