James (Pulitzer Prize Winner): A Novel

I promised myself I wouldn’t dive into any more space horror stories, but “Julia,” Sandra Newman’s retelling of Orwell’s 1984 from Julia’s point of view, completely swept me up. Naturally, when I saw James hit the shelves—a reimagining of Huck Finn through Jim’s eyes—I couldn’t resist. I was curious, but also wary, because I knew this story would be as psychologically traumatic as I feared. And I wasn’t wrong. Reading James is a deeply personal experience, especially as a Black woman, knowing that the only thing separating me from that nightmare of slavery is the year I was born. The narrative forced me to confront the reality that my great-grandparents and countless others who share my skin color endured this hellscape. It's more than just history—it's a stark reminder that they were treated as "it," less than animals, mere property. This is the kind of story that takes a physical toll on me every time I bear witness to it, but at the same time, it's necessary. One of the things I found most powerful was how James fills in the emotional and psychological blanks left by Huckleberry Finn. In Everett’s hands, Jim is more than just a loyal protector or a man enslaved. The inner thoughts and eventual confession he shares go beyond the brutality of slavery, offering an explanation for why he’s so devoted to Huck. This complexity and depth made the retelling masterful—it's still settling with me, but I can already say it was absolutely worth the read. Another aspect that haunted me was the subtle but consistent pattern Everett weaved through the story—everyone who helped Jim, except Huck, met a tragic end. It’s hard to tell if it was a coincidence or a chilling reflection of how dangerous it was to aid a Black person back then, but either way, it made clear just how easily Black lives were discarded. That’s a stark, painful truth to digest. Percival Everett’s writing is as sharp and introspective as ever, breathing new life into a character who has long been a symbol but rarely fully understood. His retelling connects a lot of plot points and unspoken questions from Huckleberry Finn in ways that are satisfying, thought-provoking, and deeply unsettling. It's one of those stories that will stay with you long after you've closed the book.

This book was a beautiful telling of a different aspect of a familiar and beloved childhood favorite. The story of Jim needed to be told. What could have been a sad retelling of a deplorable time in our nation’s history where people were treated as commodities and not humans was filled with humorous passages that lightened the heaviness of the story. It moved at a captivating and engaging pace. The protagonist is one whose outcome you feel invested in immediately because of the detailed nuances of his thoughts and feelings in his telling of his story in the first-person voice. Huck plays a key role in this tale and we gain new appreciation of him as one of the greatest literary characters ever invented. It’s a must read. You will love it.

What an exceptional idea. This novel is a (sort of) retelling of Huck Finn, but from Jim's perspective. The reason I say 'sort of' is because you will recognize some characters and moments from Huck Finn, but there are also some major deviations. There is also one incredible plot twist, and while I don't want to ruin it, I will say it's why I gave it four stars instead of five...I feel like the plot twist wasn't really complete in some way. I wanted/needed more. In this telling, Jim is such an interesting character...one who both fights against the system to which he's been born, and succumbs to its cruelty in some ways. He is both brilliant and biting and contradictory in so many ways. Jim yearns to be James, the more complete version of himself...but how do you achieve that without agency? There are moments of dark humor, tenderness, rage, and confusion. Ultimately, James is a portrait of a man trying to be a man, when his environment sees him as less than human. In some ways I am reminded of Frankenstein's creature and a question of that book: can someone be good when treated so monstrously?

This book is brilliant. It is beautifully written. But there is much more to it than that. Besides its Pulitzer prize-winning story, I would recommend this book to anyone (especially white people, as I am) who would like to gain some understanding of racism and slavery from the point of view of a Black person (there is *always* more to learn) and also learn more about themselves in the process. I thought I had come to understand a great deal in my 78 years, yet this book gave me so much more, even though I know that there are things that, as a white person, I can never truly understand. Some of my realizations were -painful-but I consider that to actually be a good thing, because they still don't compare to the pain a Black person would (and often does) experience--even today. My appreciation, empathy, insight, and understanding have deepened, and for that I am grateful. Thank you, Mr Everett !

This captivating work of black literature is a must-read for everyone, young and old alike. Its brilliance resonates across generations and invites all minds to explore its profound themes and messages.

After this book I want to read everything by this author. Super read.

Who could retell Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, except Percival Everett, one of America's best novelists ? The story is told from the point of view of the runaway slave (i.e. James) and it makes all the difference, adding a new perspective on this classic narrative. Definitely, it could be said that Everett's novel is the twenty-first century twin to Twain's story. A must-read for who is interested in American literature.

Book well-wrapped and well-received. Thanks and looking forward to read.

A close up picture of how slavery treated the blacks. Good writing and characters and well worth the read.