Granta - Böcker

As with the first two Young British Novelists issues, Granta's 2003 list was compelling and prescient. The issue introduced readers to fiction by Zadie Smith, David Mitchell and Monica Ali. From Ben Rice's story of marital crises among Koi fanciers to Hari Kunzru's account of the development of a Bollywood-inspired computer virus, the issue showcases the multifacetedness and vibrancy of contemporary British literature.

Like what, exactly? Like always ready to surprise you on the stairs; like wishing you had only known; like wanting it to go on for rather longer. This issue of Granta contains lessons drawn from the muddle of experience. With:Lynn Barber on the conman who seduced her, and then her parentsKathryn Chetkovich on living with envy, bred by a partner who is more successful than she isSimon Gray on smoking, absent friends, getting old, smoking, and why Gary Cooper walked the way he didGraham Robb on how we tried to spot homosexuality, in ourselves and others.And in fiction:Nell Freudenberger: the tutor's storyJ. Robert Lennon: look what the cat brought home (sex) Jayne Anne Phillips: the Termite's birthdayand Paul MurrayPlus: 'The Steam People' , a picture essay by Robin Grierson on the glorious machines of old England, and their lovers.

"On The Road Again: Where travel writing went next..." features Tim Parks, on the joys of commuting from Verona to Milan every day; Christopher de Bellaigue, on tracking down the Armenians in Turkey; Jeremy Treglown, following in the footsteps of V. S. Pritchett in Spain; Jeremy Seabrook, on being separated from his twin; and, Todd McEwen, on Cary Grant's trousers. It also contains new fiction by Ann Beattie, Tessa Hadley and Claire Keegan.