James - Percival Everett

James

By Percival Everett

  • Release Date: 2024-03-19
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 1,454 Ratings)

Description

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE • KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view

In development as a feature film to be produced by Steven Spielberg •  A Best Book of the Year of the Year so Far for 2024: The New York Times Book Review, TIME, Esquire, W Magazine, Bustle, LitHub

"Genius"—The Atlantic • "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune • "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe • "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times


When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

While many narrative set pieces of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.

Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a “literary icon” (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

Reviews

  • Clever.

    4
    By dhoneywell
    Pulled for Jim all the way through.
  • Excellent

    1
    By Bougie Bungu
    This book must be read by all Americans and for those who don’t read it must become a movie. It captures the complex, dark history of this great country through James and leaves the reader with an understanding of the lingering anger that Black Americans have through generations. It has adventure, it has substance and it delivers as an engaging book you can’t put down.
  • James

    5
    By Glenn Stanley
    Enjoyed the book, certainly a different perspective. I would advise one to read Huckleberry Finn if you haven’t though.
  • Prizeworthy

    5
    By wynbee
    Agree with all the other 5-star reviews! Amazing way to flip the script.
  • Outstanding, powerful, exciting book

    5
    By Chris in WMA
    The writing is excellent, the story’s lesson is powerful, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Fantastic book.
  • Great!

    5
    By jbeustis
    Great book!
  • Amazingly wonderful

    5
    By Mimi M. 56
    Master storytelling that conveys perspectives too few people ever dwell on or are even aware of. I would like to think Mark Twain would be both proud and humbled. One of the most memorable and enjoyable books I have EVER read!
  • An Extraordinary Retelling

    5
    By Lucylww
    This retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s point of view never ceased surprising and engaging this reader. At first I feared it was going to be gimmicky (no spoilers), but soon I was absorbed in this ingeniously constucted world. Jim/James is a powerful narrator; his relationship with Huck is newly imagined; when the story collides with the events of Twain’s work, the retelling works seamlessly. Told from Jim’s point of view, however, the book also never pulls away from the vision of what it might mean to be enslaved. Will Jim/James ever be free? Will Huck? This book hits hard, but do not hesitate to read it. It’s Twain-like with humor, and it’s a riveting narration.
  • James

    5
    By Settlemorrison
    Clever, funny, scary. Huckleberry Finn stood on his head. I’m glad Tom Sawyer doesn’t have a role. The first time I read the original, I was furious that Tom commandeered the plot. So much better that this is Jim’s story from start to finish (Mark Twain, forgive me!)
  • Best in a long while.

    5
    By mattygube
    This book is a shoo-in for the Booker.

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