TORONTO — A jubilant Alice Munro pulled off a rare literary feat Thursday night, winning the glamorous Giller prize for the second time in her celebrated writing career.

"I am just stunned, I really didn't expect it,'' exclaimed Munro, 73, after accepting the $25,000 award for her short story collection, Runaway.

"I'm so happy. It's wonderful.''

Munro first won the award in 1998 for The Love of a Good Woman.

The Thursday ceremony, broadcast live on CBC-TV and hosted by comedian Mary Walsh, was attended by a who's who of publishing, politics and the arts. Those in attendance included Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, dancer Karen Kain, former Ontario premier Bob Rae and film director Norman Jewison.

Since its inception in 1994, the award -- created by businessman Jack Rabinovitch in memory of his late wife, literary journalist Doris Giller -- has grown into the country's most talked-about book prize.

Coveted invitations to the soiree are sent out accompanied by a single red rose. The nominated books are thrust into the spotlight and frequently become bestsellers. Libraries hold "Guess the Giller'' contests.

Past winners include such literary heavyweights as Margaret Atwood and Mordecai Richler.

Winnipegger Miriam Toews, who was nominated this year for her novel A Complicated Kindness, called the glitzy soiree "surreal.''

"I'm just a little Mennonite gal from the prairie,'' she said, laughing. "It's crazy fun. Wonderful.''

As they waited for the TV cameras to roll, guests noshed on seared salmon with peach chutney and french fries.

This year's jury was made up of authors Charlotte Gray, Alistair MacLeod and M.G. Vassanji, the only other writer to twice win the Giller.

The trio read 94 books submitted by 38 publishers across the country.

MacLeod said the field was so strong this year that the jury convinced Rabinovitch to allow six finalists instead of the usual five.

In addition to Toews, Munro was up against Montreal-born Shauna Singh Baldwin for The Tiger Claw, Toronto resident Wayson Choy for All That Matters, Paul Quarrington of Toronto for Galveston and Pauline Holdstock of North Saanich, B.C. for Beyond Measure.

It's been a heady autumn for Munro.

Runaway, comprised of eight stories dealing with the inner lives of women, is also up for a Governor General's award, to be announced next week.

Looking radiant in a long silver dress, the sometimes reclusive Munro, who lives in Clinton, Ont., appeared to bask in Thursday's Giller spotlight.

Asked if she felt spoiled for winning the award twice, Munro laughed.

"That's OK,'' she said. "Maybe I'll go for three.''