THE renowned and best-selling author Hilary Mantel has died aged 70, her publisher has announced.
HarperCollins said the Wolf Hall writer passed away “suddenly yet peacefully” and was surrounded by her close family and friends.
Mantel, who won the Booker Prize twice, recently concluded the ground-breaking The Wolf Hall Trilogy with the publication of The Mirror and the Light in 2020.
In a statement, her publishers HarperCollins described Mantel as “one of the greatest English novelists of this century”.
They added: “Her beloved works are considered modern classics. She will be greatly missed.”
READ MORE: RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine dies aged 28
Bill Hamilton, Dame Hilary’s agent at literary agency AM Heath, said it had been the “greatest privilege” to work with her throughout her career.
He said: “Her wit, stylistic daring, creative ambition and phenomenal historical insight mark her out as one of the greatest novelists of our time.
“She will be remembered for her enormous generosity to other budding writers, her capacity to electrify a live audience, and the huge array of her journalism and criticism, producing some of the finest commentary on issues and books.
“Emails from Hilary were sprinkled with bon mots and jokes as she observed the world with relish and pounced on the lazy or absurd and nailed cruelty and prejudice.
“There was always a slight aura of otherworldliness about her, as she saw and felt things us ordinary mortals missed, but when she perceived the need for confrontation she would fearlessly go into battle.
“And all of that against the backdrop of chronic health problems, which she dealt with so stoically. We will miss her immeasurably, but as a shining light for writers and readers she leaves an extraordinary legacy. Our thoughts go out to her beloved husband Gerald, family and friends.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was “impossible to overstate the significance” of the author’s legacy.
READ MORE: Kwasi Kwarteng sets out mini-budget as recession looms - these are the key points
She added: “Her brilliant Wolf Hall trilogy was the crowning achievement in an outstanding body of work. Rest in peace.”
Born in Derbyshire in 1952, she was educated at the London School of Economics and Sheffield University. She lived in Botswana from 1977 to 1982 and spent time in Saudi Arabia. After returning to England, she worked as the film critic for The Spectator.
Her first novel Every Day is Mother’s day was published in 1985 and won prizes for her subsequent novels including Fludd and A Place of Greater Safety.
The runaway success of Wolf Hall, a door-stopper phenomenon, catapulted Mantel to fame when it was published in 2009.
She suffered from endometriosis and underwent a surgical menopause at 27, which left her unable to have children.
She lived in Devon and is survived by her husband Gerald McEwan.
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |
Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.