Book Review: “James” by Percival Everett

Main Characters

• Jim
• Huck Finn

Publisher’s Summary

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.

Recent Reviews

My Review

Although these types of books usually don’t capture my interest, I decided to read this one since it was selected for Junteenth in my new book club, BookTopia. The dialect presented quite a challenge, so I wholeheartedly recommend listening to the audiobook instead.

That said, James is a phenomenal novel that highlights Percival Everett’s incredible skill as a writer. In this book, Everett captures the spirit and tone of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn while creating an entirely new and compelling narrative, with Jim, the runaway slave, as the storyteller.

This is not an easy story to sit with—it forces you to confront some deeply unsettling truths about humanity. The depiction of racism, cruelty, and the suffering of innocent people because of the color of their skin is unflinching. There are moments of degradation and violence that are difficult to read, yet they are necessary for the story’s impact. I’ve not read other novels about slavery, but this one struck a chord. It’s bold, heartbreaking, and unapologetically honest.

If you’ve ever been captivated by Huckleberry Finn, you’ll likely find this reimagining just as, if not more, powerful. Percival Everett has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller, and this book is deserving of every bit of recognition it receives.

Listen to “James” for Free

Purchase “James” by Percival Everett Here

Book Photos

Book Quotes

I can tell you that I am a man who is cognizant of his world, a man who has a family, who loves a family, who has been torn from his family, a man who can read and write, a man who will not let his story be self-related, but self-written.

― Percival Everett, James

Which would frighten you more? A slave who is crazy or a slave who is sane and sees you clearly?

― Percival Everett, James