Go, Rana!

The National Short Story Prize was established this year in the UK with the support of BBC Radio 4 and Prospect magazine, to re-establish the importance of the British story after years of perceived neglect. Well, the shortlist of selected stories is just out, and quite a shortlist it is indeed: from William Trevor to Michael Faber to Rose Tremain to Rana Dasgupta. (Dasgupta's is a story about a young man in Lagos whose only talent is for knowing other people's business, taken from Tokyo Cancelled.) Each of the stories will be broadcast on Radio 4 and all of the stories will be published as a collection next month. The winner of the £15,000 prize will be announced on 15 May.