Wolf Hall Wins Man Booker Prize

As the critics, bookies, and readers all predicted, this year’s winner was the heavily favored Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, the author of 12 acclaimed books. The novel—already a hit in the U.K., and scheduled for U.S. release next week—is the story of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's trusted and vilified minister, and his improbable rise and fall from power. But will the literary set's version of The Tudors be as big a hit Stateside? The New York Times' Janet Maslin notes, "This witty, densely populated book may experience a rough passage when it crosses the Atlantic."