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The Bristol Cable

Hope Is Around The Corner

Bestselling author and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla writes a monthly culture column, following his curiosity to get to know Bristol and its people better. From race and inequality to climate, community, arts, and culture, he explores what being a Bristolian really means through a warm, funny, and sometimes spicy lens.


  • Giving a shit is just the beginning
    Reflections on the film ‘Steve’, the power of youth services and what we can all do for the young people of our city
  • If you terrorise children, we have nothing in common
    Following yet another anti-migrant hotel protest, Nikesh considers whether it’s even possible to engage with the other side
  • Rage is the fire, love is the oxygen
    With a fragile ceasefire on the horizon in Gaza, Nikesh meets Anam Raheem, a writer and founder of global mutual aid network Gaza Champions
  • When we’re deported, will mum be allowed to visit?
    St George’s flags are going up all over the country. Nikesh reflects on what this means, and how to explain it to young kids without dampening their joy
  • What are you reading for?
    After getting stared at for reading a book at a gig, Nikesh ponders the point of books and gives his recommendations of Bristol bookshops and inspiring authors

About the Author
Nikesh Shukla is a novelist and screenwriter, currently working on a Spider-Man India comic book miniseries for Marvel as well as numerous television projects. Most recently, he released his first children’s book, called The Council Of Good Friends.He is the author of Coconut Unlimited (shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award), Meatspace and the critically acclaimed The One Who Wrote Destiny.

Nikesh is the editor of the bestselling essay collection,The Good Immigrant, which won the reader’s choice at the Books Are My Bag Awards. He co-edited The Good Immigrant USA with Chimene Suleyman. He is the author of three YA novels, Run, Riot (shortlisted for a National Book Award), The Boxer (long-listed for the Carnegie Medal) and Stand Up.

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