Granta Magazine

Jan 15, 2025 | granta.com | Josie Mitchell

Li Qun sits with his arms crossed, frowning at the document on the desk in front of him. LI QUNSo the meat goes straight onto the stones? ASIGENThat’s right. It’s sliced super thin, so when you put it on the hot stone –LI QUNAnd it’s cooked? ASIGENYes! The stone’s so hot, the meat’s done in minutes. A sprinkle of salt, a pinch of chilli powder. Delicious. LI QUNIs that sanitary? ASIGENWay cleaner than a regular kitchen. Plus it’s super eco-friendly. Everything’s natural, from kitchen to table.

Mar 22, 2024 | granta.com | Josie Mitchell

In this episode of the Granta Podcast, we speak to the novelist Brandon Taylor, author of Real Life (2020) and The Late Americans (2023), about naturalism, the future of fiction, and the connection between Émile Zola and The Sims. We also discuss Taylor’s short story ‘Stalin, Lenin, Robespierre’, which appeared in Granta 166: Generations. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Mar 11, 2024 | granta.com | Josie Mitchell

‘There was to be an exhibition. There were lots of pictures like his, apparently – of waiters, pastry cooks, valets, bellboys.’An essay by Jason Allen-Paisant from Granta 159: What Do You See?

Oct 24, 2023 | granta.com | Robert Gluck

Ed left instructions in his will for the disbursement of certain objects and a great deal of art. I spent an afternoon in his studio in June 1993, helping him make these decisions. We were dry-eyed, strangely festive, even though a PICC that went into his arm, past his shoulder, and then a fraction of an inch into a chamber in his heart, was being replaced the next day by an apparatus that entered his chest. He said, ‘This week the mockingbirds returned.

Jul 14, 2023 | granta.com | Mary Jean Chan

SestinaIt happened again – the way life happens – my Chineseface struck like the glow of a torch on a white question:why is your English so good, the compliment uncertainof itself. The speaker expects a reply, but I do not knowif his attention will hold for a six-minute history lessonso I say you’re so kind and keep the conversation going. All this occurs in a safe, queer space. We’re about to goout for pizza, want to join us? I stood next to a Chinesestudent who looked at me as if I were a mirror.