Percival Everett’s James took the country by storm with its release last year. It has already garnered numerous national book awards.
James is the retelling of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but from the servant Jim’s perspective. As you recall, Jim and Huck both have their reasons for fleeing their home, and end up rafting down the Mississippi River–headed for freedom but encountering difficulty, humorous situatons, and adventure along the way.
Without spoiling the story, I’ll just say there’s a startling dialogue change early in the book and an unexpected reveal near the end.
For maximum enjoyment, I recommend you reread Huckleberry Finn . . . and then hunker down and enjoy James.
reviewed May 2025
Percival Everett’s James took the country by storm with its release last year. It has already garnered numerous national book awards.
James is the retelling of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but from the servant Jim’s perspective. As you recall, Jim and Huck both have their reasons for fleeing their home, and end up rafting down the Mississippi River–headed for freedom but encountering difficulty, humorous situatons, and adventure along the way.
Without spoiling the story, I’ll just say there’s a startling dialogue change early in the book and an unexpected reveal near the end.
For maximum enjoyment, I recommend you reread Huckleberry Finn . . . and then hunker down and enjoy James.
reviewed May 2025