A review by half_book_and_co
The Good Journal by Nikesh Shukla

4.0

Edited by Nikesh Shukla, this issue brings together short stories, essays, photography, and poetry. The Good Journal is (as the editor's note says) "aimed at showcasing the best writing from British writers of colour". This first issue makes one excited about all the coming issues and I hope a long run of this magazine. There is the beautiful, tender opening essay "Mother Tongue" by Jimi Famurewa about (re)learning Yoruba as an adult. Alex Luke's biting, intricate, and clever story "Feel This Bad" about mobbing is very memorable - and I can't believe it is her first publication (I can't wait to see what she does next). Daniellé DASH contributes the essay "Stockholm Syndrome", wondering how to reconcile her love for London with the knowledge how slavery shaped the city - it is also about feeling for Killmonger. In Charlotte Forfieh's humorous story "April Fools" a few gods grapple with mortal and immortal problems. I could go on - the entire issue is packed with great writing and art (the illustrations for each title are fabulous as well). The only text I was wondering (in a negative sense) about was Vaseem Khan's "Lessons for Post-Brexit Britain from a British Asian's Decade in India", while I found the premise interesting, I felt quite a few conclusions were a bit simplistic. The next issue of The Good Journal will be edited by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan!