James
By Percival Everett
Double Day Books, 9780385550369, March 2024, 320 pp.
The Short of It:
Nothing short of remarkable.
The Rest of It:
Have you read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? I ask because James is a re-imagined Huck Finn but from Jim’s point of view. While I was reading this, I was surprised at how many people I know who have not read Finn, so let’s begin there.
In the The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck flees from his abusive father with a slave named Jim. The two run for their lives, loot for what they can and have “adventures” on the river. Jim and Huck are very close which is unique in that a young white boy’s attachment to a black slave does raise eyebrows.
In James, Jim is the one fleeing because he desperately wants freedom and his entire goal is getting his wife and daughter out of slavery. But Huck is not having it. He finds himself by Jim’s side. They fish for their food, steal boats and canoes as needed and head down the river hoping to hit a free state, whatever that means. But a white boy and a black man cannot easily navigate those waters without raising suspicion.
Things happen. Crimes are committed.
As they continue their journey, the bond between the two strengthens and often these moments are beautifully shared. Huck is a smart boy, and he loves Jim. Everything he does is out of respect for Jim. The threats they encounter along the way highlight the difficulties that such a relationship brings.
Everett is a wonderful storyteller. I first read Telephone for book club a few months back and it was a very unique story. After that discussion I knew I would read him again and sure enough, James was chosen for this month’s club discussion. We met the other night to discuss it and it was a very good discussion.
Highly recommend.
Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
A new spin on Huck’s story. Sounds worthwhile.
Harvee https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-magical-mailbox-sunday-salon.html
This is such a wonderful novel and I am not surprised that it is shortlisted for various awards this year. I get to go hear him speak at UCSB in October and am so looking forward to that.
That’s wonderful. He teaches at USC. He’s really having his day.
Loved this one!
Loved this one!
I’ve heard great things about James and it is on my short list of tbr books.
It gives you a lot to think about, for sure.
I loved JAMES 🌟 and hope it receives the BOOKER PRIZE.
I need to read more books by Percival Everett. I liked TREES 🌟a lot to.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
I have yet to read anything negative about this book! I have the audio and will give it a listen once I finish my current book. We were traveling for 5 weeks and I never once listened to my audiobook. I hope it will pull me back in once I start listening again.
I listened to a bit of James on audio when I was waiting for my library hold to come through. It was good an audio too.
Great review! Somehow, I’ve missed all the discussion on this one and just heard about it today. Now I’m binge reading reviews and it seems like everyone loves it. I need to add it to my tbr asap!
James was great. Very interesting and there was a lot to discuss.