James: A Novel by Percival Everett

4.2 (61)
$24.99
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Web ID: 17868157

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND 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, 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 "Everetts 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…

  • Product Features

    • Percival Everett (Author)
    • Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
    • Publication Date: 03-19-2024
    • Page Count: 320
    • Hardcover
    • Fiction
    • 5.7 (w) x 8.3(h) x 1.3 (d)
    • ISBN: 9780385550369
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2/5

61 star ratings & reviews

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11 days ago
from Lancaster, CA

A Literary Restoration

Having read both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn this year, James felt like a necessary and powerful companion piece. Everett’s reimagining gives voice to Jim, the enslaved man whose perspective was largely overlooked in Twain’s originals. In James, Jim becomes more than a moral compass or comic relief, he is fully realized, deeply intelligent, and heartbreakingly human. The novel underscores the countless moments where Jim risked everything, moments that were often erased or diminished in the original narrative. I'm still sitting with the twist in the ending, it left me uncertain, but the emotional weight and literary craftsmanship of this book are undeniable. Everett doesn’t just retell the story; he reclaims it, radically illuminating the depth of Jim’s compassion, agency, and brilliance. 🛶 Synopsis Recap When Jim overhears he’s about to be sold and separated from his family, he runs. At the same time, Huck Finn fakes his death to escape his abusive father. What follows is a harrowing and satirical journey down the Mississippi. But this time, it’s Jim’s story. Everett’s novel is brimming with biting humor, emotional complexity, and sharp cultural commentary—reshaping a cornerstone of American literature through an essential new lens. 💬 Final Take: James is both tribute and transformation. It reminds us that revisiting classics with new voices isn't revision, more of a restoration.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

29 days ago

What a masterpiece!!!

Just finished reading James by Percival Everett — and what a masterpiece. A brilliant, powerful reimagining of the classic Huckleberry Finn, this novel gripped me from start to finish. Everett’s storytelling delivers a bold, unforgettable perspective that adds depth, voice, and urgency to a familiar tale. Without question: 10/10! A must-read for anyone who appreciates literature that challenges, enlightens, and stays with you long after the final page.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

1 month ago
from Syracuse, NY

An Instant Classic!

Percival Everett is a remarkable writer. Mark Twain would be proud. The reader becomes a black man and feels every bit of anger and grief which James endures. To me, this book is an immediate classic.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

1 month ago
from New Jersey

James

In a way, it was a disappointment. It was the Bell Curve of excitement as the height of expectation was reached mid-novel and then slowly reading became a chore. It was one of those books where eventually you reach a point where you keep checking to see how many pages you have left before you finish. However, it is worth the effort because it reflected a sad period in U.S. history.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 months ago

Don’t bother

Poorly written. The protagonist was self-inflated. Unrealistic. Do not understand the hype at all.

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 months ago
from California

I do not recommend

I have read many post/pre civil war books and was disappointed in this one. I couldn't finish it and took it to the library and the librarian said she couldn't finish her copy either.

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 months ago
from Tennessee

He didn't hold back on the horrors of slavery

I never read Huckleberry Fin but I thought it was an interesting concept to hear the story from Jim/James's point of view. It's beautifully written and very immersive. Vivid imagery which I didn't always like because of the content. It had me thinking a lot while reading it and it took me a min to process it after I finished it.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 months ago
from Oakland, CA

One of the best books I've read

The writing and story telling are phenomenal. This was a page turner. I haven't had such a deep connection to a book in a long time.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com