Women's Prize for Fiction 2013: Mantel makes shortlist despite 'tall poppy syndrome' Speaking at the short list announcement at the London Book Fair yesterday, Richardson said it was unfair to expect those who had been "lauded" before to miss out on further recognition. "I was very keen to keep a balanced approach about Hilary Mantel because I've heard what we call the 'tall poppy syndrome', particularly in Britain," she said. ""You've already had too much you can't have any more. Go away and die now. People being quite vitriolic in some cases. I think it's disgusting quite frankly. She added she feared "tall poppy syndrome" was a "hideous" and particularly British trait which ran through every profession. "I don't think Britain likes success," she added. It's what I call the prodigal son or daughter where you have to go away to come back and be reclaimed; all that rubbish. I'm not sure where it comes from but it's dumb. It's the opposite of what should be. Richardson, who has twice been nominated for Academy Awards as well as winning two Golden Globes and a Bafta, also disclosed she had steeled herself to argue the case for Mantel in the judging room. In the event, she revealed, the panel had been "very generous" and "open-minded" in their decision-making, coming up with a shortlist of critically-acclaimed writers. It includes American writer Barbara Kingsolver, whose novel The Lancuna won the prize in 2010, and Zadie Smith who triumphed in 2006 with On Beauty. Both have been short listed previously for their other novels, with Kate Atkinson also appearing on the long list in 2005. The shortlist has already been hailed as "staggeringly strong," with the prize's co-founder, author Kate Mosse, calling it "exceptional." A M Homes, who said she is "thrilled" to be tipped to win the prize by spokesmen for both Foyles and Waterstones books stores, claimed 'tall poppy syndrome' was not such an issue in US book prizes. "I don't think somebody should be punished because her work is so good," she added. Hilary Mantel is clearly a wonderful writer and should not be exempt from winning prizes. The award, formerly sponsored by Orange, is open to any woman writing in English and is intended to celebrate the best novel of the year rather than a body of work. The winner will be declared on June 5, at the Royal Festival Hall on London's Southbank, where she will pick up a £30,000 prize and a bronze statue. Mantel herself has previously acknowledged criticism of her wild success, refusing to apologise for winning again as she accepted the Costa Book Award earlier this year. "I'm not sorry, I'm happy and I shall make it my business to try to write more books that will be worth more prizes," she said. The shortlist in full: Kate Atkinson - Life After Life A.M Homes - May We Be Forgiven Barbara Kingsolver - Flight Behaviour Hilary Mantel - Bring Up The Bodies Maria Semple - Where'd You Go, Bernadette Zadie Smith - NW