From Library Journal
The revival in 1979 of what used to be a student literary magazine at Cambridge University is unlikely to have been as successful had its new founders stuck to the original concept of "writing about writing." Intended initially as a forum for literary discussions, Granta developed into a venue for seminal literary creation, with both fiction and nonfiction prose, and its success went unmatched. Granta has made outstanding contributions to contemporary English literature, and this anniversary volume provides solid proof of its influence. Drawn from the first 21 years of the magazine's history, it includes an eclectic mix of the best contributions in fiction, memoir, and essays by such writers as Nadine Gordimer, Salman Rushdie, Isaiah Berlin, Seamus Deane, and Diana Athill. Pieces are reproduced in chronological order, generally one piece for each year. Topics vary from the social to the political to the literary and include marriage and divorce, the demise of the Soviet Union, Cambodia's political predicament and the emergence of Pol Pot, and writing, publishing, and the crisis of the English novel. Highly recommended for all libraries and essential for literary collections. Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Granta: The First Twenty-One Years FROM THE PUBLISHER
Granta has established itself as the unchallenged venue for the best in contemporary fiction, memoir, reportage, and travel. This special anniversary issue presents 21 landmark works, one from each of the magazine's 21 years. Included are pieces from such distinguished writers as Leonard Michaels, Raymond Carver, Tim Lott, Seamus Deane, Harold Pinter, Linda Grant, and Joy Williams. A selection from "The State of Europe: Christmas Eve, 1989" includes powerful individual writings by George Steiner, Stephen Spender, Isaiah Berlin, Noel Annan, Abraham Brumberg, and Gunter Kunert. Other contributors include Primo Levi, Salman Rushdie, Nadine Gordimer, Lorrie Moore, and Richard Ford.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
The revival in 1979 of what used to be a student literary magazine at Cambridge University is unlikely to have been as successful had its new founders stuck to the original concept of "writing about writing." Intended initially as a forum for literary discussions, Granta developed into a venue for seminal literary creation, with both fiction and nonfiction prose, and its success went unmatched. Granta has made outstanding contributions to contemporary English literature, and this anniversary volume provides solid proof of its influence. Drawn from the first 21 years of the magazine's history, it includes an eclectic mix of the best contributions in fiction, memoir, and essays by such writers as Nadine Gordimer, Salman Rushdie, Isaiah Berlin, Seamus Deane, and Diana Athill. Pieces are reproduced in chronological order, generally one piece for each year. Topics vary from the social to the political to the literary and include marriage and divorce, the demise of the Soviet Union, Cambodia's political predicament and the emergence of Pol Pot, and writing, publishing, and the crisis of the English novel. Highly recommended for all libraries and essential for literary collections. Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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