James by Percival Everett is a modern day classic and should be required reading. I could have read many more pages on the life of Jim, but the concise nature of Everett’s writing is one of the reasons this story feels so strong.
This was my first read from Percival Everett, but it won’t be my last. His writing style is sharp, impactful, and to-the-point, while keeping the story easily flowing and the pages turning.
James was an instant New York Times Bestseller, long-listed for the Booker Prize, and a Kirkus Prize Finalist. It is also in development to become a film produced by Steven Spielberg.
Reading it with your book club? Get my Book Club Kit for James here!
Percival Everett is author to many other novels, such as Erasure and The Trees, which have also earned accolades and praises.
Let’s Get into James!
Synopsis:
A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.
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 The 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.
Review
In three parts and 303 pages, Everett tells the story of Jim, a slave, on the run after receiving word that he’s been sold. This is a beautiful reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from enslaved Jim’s point of view.
I went into this book thinking it would be rather parallel to Huck Finn (i.e. same setting, plot, etc.), but was pleasantly shocked to read a virtually entirely different story around Jim and how he and Huck come to cross paths.
Jim experiences many dangerous encounters while on the run. The juxtaposition of Jim running for survival and Huck seeing this escape as an adventure paints a clear contrast between races in this time period.
There were moments that I was heartbroken, furious, reflective, and shocked (!!!)
This would be a fantastic book of study in classrooms, either in addition to Huck Finn (or maybe even in place of). I absolutely loved it.
My book club also loved it!! This book ignited one of the best discussions we’ve had all year! There is so much to discuss.
I also found a new favorite audiobook narrator in Dominic Hoffman. His voice acting is absolutely top tier! Lucky for me, he’s narrated many other books like The Starless Sea, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, and Wayward.
I cannot recommend this book enough – all the stars! Read it!!
Other Books by Percival Everett
Discussion Questions
James would make for a fantastic book club discussion! If your club is looking for a historical fiction or a spin on an American Classic that will prompt deep, thought-provoking discussions, you’ll love this book club pick. I’ve included a few discussion questions below.
You can get everything you need to host an immersive themed book club by purchasing my Book Club Kit! It includes even more discussion questions, a themed food and drink list, themed activity list, themed souvenir ideas, and a themed playlist that you can listen to instantly!
- Have you read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? What was your experience reading it?
- Did this reimagining change your perspective of the original novel?
- While Twain is well-known for satirical writing, Everett’s writing took a different approach. How did Everett still incorporate humor and satire in social and culture conditions?
- Discuss Huck’s role in the story. How was it different from the original writing?
- How did Huck and Jim’s perspectives on travel differ? Discuss how the juxtaposition of their races, ages, and experiences led them to both running away.
- Jim “code-switches” depending on who he is speaking with throughout the book. Reflect on Jim’s need to do this and how it impacted your reading.
- Slavery and violent depictions are prevalent throughout the book. Were there any threats that surprised you? What did not surprise you?
- One prominent scene in the book was when Jim was “hired” to be a part of the minstrel group. What were your reflections on this scene as a whole?
- Discuss how performance in blackface was accepted, while black people were not only unable to be performers but were also without rights.
- How were the clashes of race put on display through the minstrel group?
Get even more discussion questions for James with my Book Club Kit!
Have you read James yet? Let me know what you think in a comment below or find me on Instagram!
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