ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the rise of literary prize culture in the new millennium, its function, potential limitations, and the role of literary prizes, awards and lists in the formation of a canon of contemporary fiction. Literary awards enjoy a diverse range of impacts on the reception of future fiction. Granta is the world’s leading new writing magazine, profiling some of the most recent fiction and authors from Britain. The 2013 Granta list presents a range of fictions that represent the rapidly changing socio-political, cultural and economic landscapes of contemporary Britain through the recurring trope of the country and the city. Fiction plays an important role in shaping our collective image of cities. Representations of cities in contemporary fiction have an intrinsic role in promoting and making sense of encounters with the urban, reminding readers of their own role in engaging with the reality and future of urban space.
