Souly Speculative

By J. Darnell Johnson

As African American authors, in the realm of fiction we are represented in every genre, including science fiction and fantasy. LGBT author Samuel Delany is one of our trailblazers in this arena, and now Afrofuturism is gaining prominence in this mix. Already an amazing storyteller and children’s novelist, J. Darnell Johnson combines all of the above in his short story collection Souly Speculative, with intriguing illustrations by Eleazar Enejo.

His collection of six short stories gives us past, present, and future, legends and the universe of “What if?” Science fiction and fantasy has given authors freedom to express truths about the human condition as well as injustice, which Johnson does with incredible skill:

In “Murda,” Jamaican maroons (slave refugees) witness the landing in a swamp of what appears to be an alien being called Murda. In their ongoing battle against the British army, they see Murda as a way to help them conquer the British while they bring him into their fold. Or is he?

“One to the Other” takes us back to the 1970s, with Pearl insisting on meeting boyfriend Jack’s family, something Jack is reluctant to do. He finally relents and brings her to meet them over the Thanksgiving weekend. Little does she know that Jack is doing his level-best to shield her from the “others” that occupy the house (Note: the address of the house is a chilling omen of what lies within).

“Sit Com” takes place in 2035 with a visit by Senator Clemens to the White House. With a vote pending on the Senate floor for reparations to African Americans, the curious white senator takes a seat on an unusual throne in the President’s Situation Room—the Sit Com. In a clever twist on “A Christmas Carol,” through the Sit Com, three souls are sent to Senator Clemens in order to influence his vote, armed with the realities of history and a future.

“Just Due” takes us to 3033 and entitled power couple Tina and Donn Meticulux. Their greed knows no bounds, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. When a Nigerian merchant offers to sell them an entire universe after they were swindled by another merchant, the power-hungry couple jumps at it. Be careful what you wish for…

“The Egg” introduces us to the Moses brothers, a world-renowned African American space family owning a private space agency known as Black Star Water. In 2053, the brothers embark on a mission to the ocean of Europa. Could it be that there are life forms we know nothing about there?

“Dark Chaser” tells the story of Mr. Applewhite, a paranoid white farmer in the deep South who goes to extreme measures to keep critters and people away from his apple trees. Convinced that the Black children of a neighbor are stealing his apples, he creates an unusual scarecrow to keep them away. The supernatural results, however, prove that karma is indeed a “witch with a capital B.”

Johnson’s stories draw readers and listeners in and keep them both engaged and invested. As I read them, I could picture a group of people gathered around in a circle as he shares these stories with the wisdom and flair of a griot.

Souly Speculative is available through the Minnesota Black Authors Expo website (www.mnblackauthorsexpo.com)

Thank you once again, James, for your wonderful gift as a storyteller and a wordsmith. Representation matters!