Granta 171: Dead Friends

by Thomas Meaney (Editor)

Genres: Nonfiction, Short Stories, Journal

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Paul Dembina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting issue themed around reminiscences of friends who have passed away or otherwise "lost"

Beware the gruesome non-fiction article about the process called resomation. It's a method for disposing of the deceased body by breaking it down using potassium hydroxide.

[Ruby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I only enjoyed tao lin’s piece

[Olivia]

Particularly enjoyed the pieces by Tao Lin and Fernanda Eberstadt

[Ben Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting theme that naturally leans more into the non-fiction - even though I'd never heard of half the people eulogised there was a real tenderness and warmth to the pieces.

Highlights include:
Fernanda Eberstadt's portrait of her relationship with Andy Warhol, which doubles as a coming-of-age piece
Susie Boyt's fictional deathbed friend with such sharply drawn and textured characters
Gary Indiana's compelling interview-style short story
William Atkins' deep dive into a cleaner form of cremation
Aayish Taseer's touching sketch of a prickly mentor
Tao Lin's drug-feulled connection

Lots to enjoy

[Chris]

I enjoyed this volume, reading candid reminiscences of people departed by those left behind. The poetry here, particularly that of Krystina Dąbrowska, offered other views of the ways the past—the dead—remain always present.
Unfortunately for me, the final, longest, piece in Granta 171, Tao Lin writing about his friendship with Gian DiTrapano, I found a boring slog of prodigious drugging and in-jokes.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best Grantas for some time, I thought (and I've been subscribing for 25 years, since number 71!) - consistently good writing, and actually followed the proclaimed theme. I especially enjoyed Aatish Taseer on VS Naipaul, and 'All Being Well' by Susie Boyt, but several others were great too. Feels like an old friend is back on form.

[M. Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous. All of life is contagious, the void left by the dead author of the universe, a vanishing, no time for symbolism, time folding over itself, the windows, more opaque, life getting poorer after your death.

Highlights: all of it, really, loved the Joshua Cohen, Marlen Haushofer, & the Resomation pieces the most.

[Ray Quirolgico · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this issue of Granta, “Dead Friends,” intrigued me right away. Yes, there are stories of emotional reminiscing. But there are also surprises like ghost stories, political histories, and plaintive poetry and photos that feel like respectful prayers. I just wish there was more of a cathartic payoff overall.

[Eilidh Fyfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so pretty I’m upset

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked William Atkins' piece a lot - don't beware of it.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very beautiful issue, the piece on Harendt especially

[Taran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good issue! Susie Boyt's short story, Aatish Taseer's recollections of Naipaul, and Renata Adler's interview about Hannah Arendt were highlights. That said, they can't all be winners: I'm still really not sold on Tao Lin