Review of Granta's all Chicago release at the Cultural Center

September 15, 7:31 AMChicago Literary Scene ExaminerRobert Duffer

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Chicago Literary Scene Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

As much as I love this city and as excited and oddly flattered as I was that Granta devoted an issue to our broken-nosed lovely, there’s only so much that three writers can say about the influence of their figurative home. It help to have good acoustics to say it. As writers are known to do, they probably said it best in the writing that appears in the journal.

The discussion at the Chicago Cultural Center wasn’t without its soundbites, Niffenegger, Hemon and Venegas agreeing that Chicago is a city of contrariness. Indeed. It wouldn’t be a Chicago panel without mention and mild yet respectful bashing of New York, where Venegas currently lives. Unmanageable, I think was how Niffeneger described it, which resonated. I love visiting NYC, the burroughs and their different states, but I only like to bite the Big Apple, rather than be the worm. Unless I was loaded. Then I could be a big worm. Or a small worm in a big apple.

Hemon suggested that the competitiveness and saturation of so many writers vying for so few markets has a leveling effect on the NYC literary scene. In contrast to the leveling that happens in New York, Niffeneger said, “The lack of attention lets [Chicago] thrive.” Hemon added that Chicago exists on the fringe, giving it its edge and independence. I think. Steve Edwards did a fine job of moderating but he seemed the most engaged—and challenged—to discover new content after the initial hour discussion was turned over to the audience. A lot more was said but I was beginning to tune out. The sound in the west wing of Preston Bradley Hall was lost by the speaker, which was pointed toward the center. I walked around the outskirts of the pink-hued glass dome to where the sound was better and the pub mix was spilling out of bowls, but by then I’d lost interest. Whatever slight criticism I have, I could’ve stepped up and asked the question I didn’t think of until I was out on Wabash: Uhh, yeah, this question is for everyone; da hot dog, Old Style, or Wrigley Field: which one would make the best character in fiction and why? (see answer below)

I did get Granta 108, the all-Chicago issue, which looks great(cover design by Chris Ware). DeLillo, Hemon, Dyberk, george Saunders, Cisneros, Kotlowitz, Neil Steinberg, and a dozen other writers had six weeks to submit their prose reflections on Chicago. According to editor John Freeman, Chicago is the first city to get the issues, due out September 22, and only 1,000 copies were printed. The 108th issue will be distributed exclusively to independent bookstores in Chicago which sets you up for a beautiful three-for $15: support your local bookstore, support literary journals, and celebrate Chicago’s literary tradition. 

Answer: da hot dog because it has a life of its own.
Or: Wrigely Field because it makes for a fine tragedy.
Or: Old Style because it’s a stupid question.