The Aventis Prize for Science Books is one of the few literary prizes that the Babu actually follows with breathless anticipation. The shortlist for 2003 is out, and it makes interesting reading. Notice how the website emphasises the accessible, non-threatening, bestselling nature of science writing, however: "...the drama of the breakthroughs, the incredible characters. Margaret Drabble leads this year's judging panel: given the quality of her science fiction (fine by literary standards, but believe me, Harlan Ellison and Philip K Dick turn in their graves every time she puts pen to paper), that's akin to a builder of matchbox castles judging an architecture competition. (I like Drabble. It's just her sci-fi I hate.)