Granta Eighteen, James Fenton: The Snap Revolution

Though reluctant to cover what he assumed would be Ferdinand Marcos's ""snap election,'' British journalist Fenton (``The Fall of Saigon,'' Granta 15 went to the Philippines at the British book-magazine's request, ``just in case.'' On arrival, he teamed up with a band of local journalists, who introduced him to a cross section of the country and a story that no one could quite believe was happening. In the final days of his four-week stay, Fenton went from camping with the NPA guerrillas (who watched Rambo and State of Siege on a battery-powered Betamax) to entering the abandoned Malacanang Palace with the first throng and swiping one of Imelda's monogrammed towels. There is an immediacy and genuine sense of surprise here, making for an informative, exciting read. Also represented in this issue of Granta are, among others, Primo Levi, George Steiner, Alice Munro and David Hare. Photos. (July)