Granta 172: Badlands

by Thomas Meaney (Editor)

'The most highly praised literary magazine. Remarkably, praise is deserved'
New York Times

The summer issue of Granta includes non-fiction from William T. Vollmann, reporting from the birthplace of Joseph Roth in Brody, Ukraine, and James Pogue on the marijuana-growing communities of Mt. Shasta Vista.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

Paperback

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Victoria & David Williams]

Highlights include stories by Brittany Newell, Leopold O'Shea, and Stephanie Wambugu; and photo essays by Joel Meyerowitz and Sani Badri. The long report from Ukraine by William T Vollmann disappoints. It lacks the immediacy and energy of someone like James Fenton who used to do similar
reporting for Granta some 40 years ago (see The Snap Revolution from 1985).

[Ben Breen]

Four stars largely for the quality of the non-fiction, with both Vollmann's journey through war-torn Ukraine (how quickly people can normalise adversity) and Ernaux's hidden dead sibling (a very different kind of adversity).

Brittany Newell and Leopold O'Shea also offer up some compelling fiction.

Confused by the "badlands" theming, though, which seemed to have very little to do with most of the writing contained within.

[Natalie Konigkin]

I think this might be the first Granta magazine where I actively disliked most of the stories. The photos are the bomb tho. All 3 collections. As well as the supporting text.

[Benjamin Cooper]

Favourite: Carousel by Leopold O'Shea, and Happy Ending by Brittany Newell.

[Bridget Bonaparte]

Standouts were Natasha Stagg, Brittany Newell, and Frederich S poem at the close. The Vollman dragged and made no real point, the rest of the poems left me flat. Previous issue was stellar so maybe just less good in comparison

[Ray Quirolgico]

This issue’s editorial introduction was surprisingly straightforward: defining “badlands” in physical space and in mental space. But the collection of works was a different kind of surprise: often sad, sometimes wistful, occasionally sexy, and always compelling.

[Marcus]

I'm a loyal fan of Granta (I've been subscribing for the last quarter century) and always will be, but I find the volume 'titles' increasingly bemusing. What does 'Badlands' have to do with most of the pieces here?! However, there are several charming, quirky gems, as always. my favourites this time being perhaps Natasha Stagg and Stephanie Wambugu.

[Chris]

Nothing by James Pogue in this issue, though the Goodreads blurb suggests so.
I liked reading more by Annie Ernaux. Wm. T. Vollmann makes the report on Ukraine all about him. The Poetry by Olds, and Seidel, Muldoon, and Lucian is pointed, and reflects the contemporary political, cultural Badlands. I liked the Photo essays because they were nothing I would ever do. It was exciting to see it done.

[David Shepherd]

The standout for me was Leopold O'Shea's Carousel. The other fiction was good as usual, and the photography was interesting.

Vollmann's reporting was my least favourite, probably in part because I haven't read any of the authors mentioned in it.

[Aaronheth95]

A strong edition. The pieces by Brittany Newell and Leopold O’Shea were particularly good, as was the photography.

[Lauren Voigt]

i mostly enjoyed the fiction and photography from this collection

happy endings- brittany newell
my first husband- stephanie wambugu
carousel- leopolo o’shea
corner shops and bossman- sana badri (photo)

[Caroline Topham]

Some excellent pieces- Ernaux’s opening essay is stunning, and O’Shea’s short story Carousel is effectively disconcerting. Unfortunately the main attraction, Vollmann’s piece on Ukraine, is disappointingly lacking in either insight or emotional weight.

[Johan Sanders]

Wat me bijzonder kon bekoren?
* 'The Other Girl' van Annie Ernaux
* 'Happy Ending' van Brittany Newell
* 'My First Husband' van Stephanie Wambugu
* 'Carousel' van Leopold O'Shea

[Paul van Zwieten]

Great stories and poems by Brittany Newell, Leopold O’Shea and Sharon Olds. Nice photos by Joel Meyerowitz

[Kaltmamsell]

Eine eher schwache Ausgabe, mit einem über 50-seitigen Text “Wie ich mal in den Krieg in der Ukraine fuhr und mit ganz vielen Leuten redete”, den ich bald nur noch kursorisch überflog.

[Andrew Tattersall]

Some okay pieces, poetry and photos.

[Eilidh Fyfe]

not as strong as the previous edition but a political powerhouse all the same

[Lu Louche]

Carousel, happy ending and also Vollmans piece. There are some good stories in there. Also some not so good ones and the poetry entries weren’t my cup of tea either.

[Pavel]

Bought it because of William T. Vollmann, was struck by a tiny thing from Annie Ernaux, and amazed by the outlook of Joel Meyerowitz.

[Cléo]

Carousel by Leopold O'Shea ! Very new to me, I loved it

[Simon]

This edition of Granta magazine comprises a very indifferent collection of written compositions loosely connected with the American concept of 'badlands'. I found the extended piece of journalism on a trip to the frontline in wartorn Ukraine interesting, not least because of the apparent disillusionment of ordinary Ukrainians with Volodymyr Zelensky and his coterie of corrupt officials. I also enjoyed Stephanie Wambugu's short story "My First Husband", which I finished feeling sorry for the husband because of the narrator's apparent callousness and self-obsession. But, with the exception of these two pieces, I found the magazine a struggle to read and am glad I am finished with it.