by Ryan D. Jaeger
Hilary Mantel's masterful tale of Thomas Cromwell against the backdrop of
16th Century England may be the next winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction.
Wolf Hall has been described as "a beautiful and profoundly humane work, a
dark mirror held up to our own world," and bookies have odds of 7/4 that this
masterpiece will win the prestigious award.
The shortlist for the competition was announced earlier this month, and
contains a list of superb works, making the decision for the judges tough this
year.
On June 8th, readings of all shortlistings will take place in Queen Elizabeth
Hall in London, followed by the awards ceremony on June 9th.
The Orange Prize for Fiction was created in 1996 through the generosity of
Orange telecom group, although the idea had been in the pipeline for many years
previously.
The first Orange Prize for Fiction was awarded to Helen Dunmore for her
amazing A Spell of Winter, and since then the prize has become a highlight of
the UK and global literary calendar.
Odds for the 2010 Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction are as follows:
Hilary Mantel Wolf Hall 7/4
Barbara Kingsolver The Lacuna 3/1
Attica Locke Black Water Rising 9/2
Rosie Alison The Very Thought You 5/1
Lorrie Moore A Gate at the Stairs 11/2
Monique Rofey The White Woman on the Green Bicycle 6/1
