An Unusual Love Affair Book

Granta is always a pleasure to read. Which is why I always dutifully pick up the old abandoned copies from my library's free bin by the front door and give them a home. Even though there are usually a few stories or non-fiction entries that are less than spectacular, I still cannot help but consume every single word. (Even the advertisements fascinate me!)

This issue especially had some impressive gems: David Malouf's "Every Move You Make" and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Jumping Monkey Hill" knocked the wind out of me. The photographs by Albert Smith and Graham Smith moved me to tears. Claire Keegan's "Safe" had a very interesting perspective -- I don't recall ever seeing an author successfully place "you" as the protagonist before I read this story. And the fiction from Fan Wu and Rebecca Miller was entertaining (though the Wu story was a bit sad). I was less impressed with the non-fiction in this issue, but it was still thoroughly readable and commented on some interesting themes (houses/home, the working life/retirement, death and Forest Lawn "Memorial Park", Alzheimer's, separation from a twin, Communism, etc.).

Beautiful. And from what I've heard, Granta has only improved in the last few years. Perhaps I will someday have to subscribe.