James: A Novel by Percival Everett
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Web ID: 17868157A 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
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.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
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
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
Don’t bother
Poorly written. The protagonist was self-inflated. Unrealistic. Do not understand the hype at all.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
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
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
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.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com