Questions re Bring Up the Bodies

[canuck]

Am reading this book for which Hilary Mantel has won a second Booker prize. My first question is 'what are the criteria for winning a Booker prize' - I think maybe beer good posted about prizes for literature in another post?

Second question - This book is about Henry Vlll trying to divest himself of another wife who hasn't produced an heir for him as portrayed through the imagined thinking of Thomas Cromwell. Is this considered an exciting and exceptional book by history buffs?

I keep reading although I don't particularly care for historical novels but am wondering why some people are so excited about it?

Anyone care to comment?:

 

[canuck]

Have found the answer to my first question in Wikepedia - The Man Booker Prize is for authors of the UK, British Commonwealth and Ireland. So might not be of any interest to US writers, although it looks as though there is a prize given internationally every two years.

Still would like to hear from anyone who has read this and what they think of it. I'm part way through and find myself scanning some pages quickly - other times it seems more interesting.

 

[Stewart]

Have found the answer to my first question in Wikepedia - The Man Booker Prize is for authors of the UK, British Commonwealth and Ireland. So might not be of any interest to US writers, although it looks as though there is a prize given internationally every two years.

The international prize - a shadow of the Nobel - is for a body of work, rather than a single book.