Granta 163: Best of Young British Novelists 5 review – more solipsism than state of the nation

The latest celebration of emerging literary talent brings thrills, charm and emotional punch to the page. But this new generation have taken an inward turn compared with the more worldly themes of bygone yearsEvery decade since 1983, an editor of the literary quarterly Granta has tasked a panel of writers and critics with naming the 20 best British novelists aged under 40. The first list, which included Martin Amis, Julian Barnes, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie, Pat Barker, William Boyd and Graham Swift, defined the nation’s literary fiction not just for a generation but a lifetime, at least for anyone young enough to be eligible for this year’s selection. Subsequent lists had star quality, too. In 1993, Hanif Kureishi and Alan Hollinghurst. In 2003 came Zadie Smith and Monica Ali, listed when Brick Lane was still a manuscript. The 2013 list spotlit Ross Raisin, Evie Wyld and David Szalay, who each went on to publish exceptional novels, while Naomi Alderman won the Women’s prize for The Power, now a hit TV series. If nobody talks them up as a golden generation, it probably says less about their calibre as writers and more about the diminishing clout of a marketing wheeze dreamed up when four-channel TV was still a novelty.The class of 2023 are a rangy bunch with some fantastic writing already under their belts. Eley Williams brings emotional punch to tickled wordplay. The slow-burn thrill of Eleanor Catton’s many-tentacled plotting. The tragicomic charm of... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-16 06:00:03 UTC ]

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Rights Roundup: Eight Titles To Watch in Springtime International Rights Trades

With biography, autobiography, children's literature, new Nordic noir, literary fiction, and a mystery that rides with the Tour de France, we look at several interesting sales stories and rights action the authors of which include a Syrian concert pianist. The post Rights Roundup: Eight Titles... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Female writers dominated 2017's literary bestsellers, figures show

Topped by Margaret Atwood, the UK’s Top 10 bestselling authors of literary fiction last year features only one male writer, Haruki MurakamiFlying in the face of Norman Mailer’s infamous comment that “a good novelist can do without everything but the remnant of his balls”, Haruki Murakami was the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jilly Cooper believes literary fiction should not receive state funding

Author Jilly Cooper has said that literary fiction should not receive state support, arguing instead that the money would be better spent on the declining newspaper industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why should we subsidise writers who have lost the plot? | Tim Lott

I’m not surprised sales of literary fiction are in decline – too many authors fail to engage their readers with any sort of story• Tim Lott is an author and journalistFollowing the announcement from Arts Council England that sales of literary fiction are plummeting, it is suggested that arts... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Crisis in literary fiction a 'wake-up call'

Arts Council England’s report into the crisis in literary fiction should serve as a "wake up call" to the industry which needs to "radically rethink" how it presents the genre, the chief executive of Curtis Brown has warned. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Arts Council England’s Alarm for Literary Fiction: ‘The Problem Is a Real One’

'Overall the books selling well' in the UK 'are not literary,' Arts Council England's commissioned report from the Canelo team announces. The post Arts Council England’s Alarm for Literary Fiction: ‘The Problem Is a Real One’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Literary fiction under threat, ACE report concludes

Arts Council England has pledged to engage with more bookshops, fund more writers and lobby the government to provide tax relief to independent publishers following a report finding that “the general trend for literary fiction is a negative one”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon Looks to Broaden Audience

Since its inception in 2014, BookCon has mainly drawn women in the 18 to 30-year-old age bracket, but organizer ReedPop is adding more programming for the 2018 event to attract readers interested in literary fiction, mystery/thriller, sci fi/fantasy and romance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How do you win the Man Booker prize? Move to New York or London | Lucy Diver

The prize used to champion unknowns and outsiders. But a 2014 rule change has cemented the neo-colonial cultural dominance of the US and the UKThe upstairs room of an indie bookstore. A book launch for a local author. Crisps and wine are being handed out, a buzz is in the air, congratulations... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-10-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Henley reveals ACE's 'concerns for literary fiction'

Arts Council England is broadening its literature work, which has previously concentrated on areas such as poetry and translated literature, into a new emphasis on literary fiction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Aussie Rules: Black Inc launches in the UK

Australian publisher Black Inc, which specialises in literary fiction and non-fiction, is to launch in the UK this September. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S Shuts Down Tyrus Books, Relocates Howard Books

Tyrus Books, which published crime and literary fiction, is closing six months after S&S acquired its parent company, Adams Media, from F&W. Christian imprint Howard Books is being relocated to the publisher's New York City headquarters and losing its publisher in the move. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Psychological thriller by Eleanor Catton to Granta

Granta has acquired Eleanor Catton's follow up to her Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Luminaries, which is to be a psychological thriller titled Birnham Wood. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing at London Book Fair: Literary Fiction, Suspense, Memoir

Amazon Publishing, the largest publisher of translations, will be at the London Book Fair with a rights list of suspense, memoir and literary titles. The post Amazon Publishing at London Book Fair: Literary Fiction, Suspense, Memoir appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The International Prize for Arabic Fiction’s Shortlist: Strong on Issues

At a time when literary fiction has a chance to illuminate the struggles and needs of many, the leading Arabic fiction prize's shortlist makes the point. The post The International Prize for Arabic Fiction’s Shortlist: Strong on Issues appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany’s ‘Future Publish’ at Leipzig; Faber’s Page and Europa’s Reynolds on Literature

Future Publish's program at Leipzig Book Fair includes a tour, as literary fiction and free speech intersect at conferences in the US and UK. The post Germany’s ‘Future Publish’ at Leipzig; Faber’s Page and Europa’s Reynolds on Literature appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faber CEO speaks out after winning indie trade publisher of the year

Head of venerable press says his sector has important role in the defence of free speech and champions the revival of literary fiction and traditional booksFaber & Faber’s chief executive has called for publishers to oppose crackdowns on free speech and the rise of so-called fake news.... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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On eve of Costa awards, experts warn that top books prizes are harming fiction

The dominance of three honours in the UK can be prohibitively expensive for small publishers, and end up discouraging risk-taking on ‘difficult’ authorsCutting-edge British literary fiction risks being undermined by its growing reliance on a handful of powerful book prizes, a leading literary... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-01-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Country Spotlight: Singapore: Top 12 Writers and Titles to Watch

From literary fiction to middle-grade series, Singapore’s new literary voices are getting louder, and their works finding new homes far away from the tropical city-state. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Country Spotlight: Singapore: Literary Publishing

Singapore literature, or Sing lit as it is known locally, is getting hot—and it is not because of the island’s tropical climate. Recent months have seen many titles, from literary fiction to middle grade series, getting picked up by overseas publishers, including those from the U.K. and U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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