From Elizabeth McCracken to Bill Buford

These two letters from Elizabeth McCracken refer to the extract from her novel that was selected for Granta 54, Best of Young American Novelists in Summer 1996. Elizabeth McCracken’s story ‘Property’ features in the most recent edition of the magazine, ‘Going Back’.

Dear Mr. Jack --

Here, as requested, are the first three chapters of my novel. I hope they make sense.

I can’t tell you how delighted I am to have been selected for your list. My friend Karen Bender has a story coming out in Granta, and we decided that if I made the final list, we would spend one afternoon in New York wearing signs that said, Granta Author. (Not that I’ve told her -- I have been obeying the Granta Code of Silence, until I’m given clearance.)

At any rate, thanks again.

Sincerely

Elizabeth McCracken

Dear Mr. Jack --

Here, at the very last minute, is a bit of new work for Granta, just in case you end up wanting something for me for your Best American Novelists issue. It’s a chapter from my novel, The Giant’s House, which will be published by Dial Books here in July, and by Jonathan Cape there some time late.

Perhaps I’ve taken so long because it seems like great audacity of me (even when asked) to send something to Granta, a publication I admire more than I can say, or at least more that I admire my own work. Needless to say I’m delighted to have gotten this far.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth McCracken