Enclosure

Our humour ripens as the barley falls. It’s safe to spread the gossip noisily, it’s safe to bait and goad. Who’s sharing wives? Which bearded bachelor is far too friendly with his goat? Which widower (they look at me) has dipped his thumb in someone else’s pot? Which blushing youngsters are the village spares, that’s to say those children who’ve been conceived in one man’s bed and then delivered in another’s? Who’s making love to apple tubs? Who’s wedded to a sack of grain? Nothing is beyond our bounds, when we are cutting corn.

This is an extract from ‘Enclosure’ by Jim Crace in Granta 119: Britain. You can pre-order a copy or subscribe and receive four issues a year of the best new writing.

You can also see Jim Crace at the following event:

Visions of Britain: An evening with Granta and Jim Crace
15 May, 6.30 p.m.,Waterstones, 128 New Street, Birmingham B2 4DB. Tickets £3, redeemable against a copy of Granta bought on the night. Free entry for Granta subscribers. Contact the store for purchase.

Jim Crace is a master stylist and a gripping storyteller. His story in Granta 119: Britain is a gossipy and ribbing tale of barley farmers in the 16th century who face an imminent future of sheep farming as a result of the Enclosures. From the dream of a leisure society to dark omens of change, Jim Crace will read from and discuss this timeless tale and his other work with Granta deputy editor Ellah Allfrey. Readers of Jim Crace will not want to miss this event, which gives an early look at his forthcoming novel. This event is part of a UK-wide series of events that mark the launch of the latest issue of Granta magazine and explore the stories Britain is telling about itself today.