Historical Fiction | Book Chatter

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.

Clear
By Carys Davies
Scribner, 9781668030660, April 2024, 208pp.

The Short of It:

Heartbreakingly beautiful.

The Rest of It:

John, an impoverished Scottish minister, has accepted a job evicting the lone remaining occupant of an island north of Scotland—Ivar, who has been living alone for decades, with only the animals and the sea for company. Though his wife, Mary, has serious misgivings about the errand, he decides to go anyway, setting in motion a chain of events that neither he nor Mary could have predicted. ~ the publisher

This is a beautiful, quiet, novel. Although brief, at just over 200 pages, the prose makes you want to linger in this contemplative story. John’s assignment, to deliver what is basically eviction papers to this island’s lone inhabitant, does not bring him there on good terms and he quietly bristles at the act of removing a man who has been existing on his own, not a bother to anyone. But upon arrival, John makes a misstep and injures himself quite badly.

Ivar, having not seen another human in quite some time, takes full charge of this visitor, not knowing what brought him there and unable to communicate with him in a language he would understand. For a few days, this is not an issue as John remains unconscious.

As John gets stronger under Ivar’s constant attention, he becomes curious about Ivar and wishes he wasn’t there to deliver such bad news. But how would he do that anyway? They don’t speak each other’s languages so John decides to just ride it out. Over solemn, simple meals, John ponders his predicament.

As the days wear on, the two form a bond and they begin to communicate one word at a time. Before long, Ivar pieces things together when he finds the contents of John’s belongings by the sea.

This is one of those novels that speaks volumes. The friendship between the two men is touching. As John continues to heal, his wife Mary sells all she has to secure a boat ride to the island. She intends to fetch John. Easy as that. Just get off the boat, find him, and bring him back.

Not so easy. Those final paragraphs are just beautiful. I highly recommend Clear if you like quiet, pensive reads. It will be on my favorites list at the end of the year.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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