Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel is a distinguished English author whose works combine a deep understanding of historical detail with a modern, nuanced approach to storytelling. With two Booker Prizes to her name and many other accomplishments, Mantel's writing stands out among generations of novelists.

Mantel was born in Hadfield, Derbyshire in 1952, growing up in a working-class family. She studied law at the London School of Economics and worked as a social worker and librarian before eventually turning to writing full-time. Her first novel, Every Day Is Mother's Day, was published in 1985, launching her career in writing and becoming the first of many successful works.

Mantel’s most famous and acclaimed works include the Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies series, which follows the life of Thomas Cromwell, adviser to King Henry VIII in the 1500s. The series is widely hailed as a masterpiece of historical fiction, mixing fact and fiction to create a complex narrative that gives readers an understanding of the period’s social dynamics and class stratification. The books were so successful that a theatre production and a BBC TV adaption were made for them.

Mantel has also written many other novels and short stories, tackling a variety of topics. Her works often focus on historical events, including the Spanish Inquisition in A Place of Greater Safety and British colonization in Beyond Black. Her body of work also touches more modern topics like family relationships and mental illness, as seen in her novels Vacant Possession and Eight Months on Ghazzah Street.

Away from her work, Hilary Mantel has been active in the world of activism. Her outspoken nature on topics like feminism has seen her become a respected figure and voice in the world of contemporary literature. In 2014 she was made a Dame by the Queen of England, in recognition of her contributions to literature and culture.

As a novelist, Hilary Mantel is renowned for her ability to craft sophisticated narratives that blend together a meticulous attention to historical detail and timeless messages about morality and the human condition. Her works stand as a testament to her skills as a powerful writer, and her skill as a public figure has seen her words resonate beyond the pages of her books.