James

by Percival Everett
James cover
Good Books rating 4.47
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 4
  • Added: 2025-08-02
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781035031276
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2024-04-11
  • Formats: 68
  • Reviews: 4

James by Percival Everett is a powerful novel that shifts the narrative focus of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to Jim, an enslaved man who flees to avoid being sold and separated from his family. Set in 1861 along the Mississippi River, Jim's journey is both physical and intellectual as he navigates dangers, encounters conmen, and secretly educates himself while seeking freedom and reunion with his loved ones. The story explores themes of race, identity, and resilience with sharp humor and deep insight. Throughout the novel, Jim's relationship with Huck, a boy escaping an abusive father, evolves into a complex bond that challenges societal norms. The narrative also introduces characters like Norman, a white-passing former slave, and historical figures such as minstrel troupe leader Daniel Decatur Emmett, highlighting the brutal realities and contradictions of slavery. Everett's novel is acclaimed for its incisive social commentary, literary innovation, and emotional depth, earning multiple prestigious awards and widespread critical praise.

Reviews
The Manchester Review · Joseph Hunter · 2024-05-23
provocative 4.40

The novel provocatively humanizes Jim, presenting a dizzying and multifaceted portrait that challenges iconic American narratives.

Joseph Hunter finds James to be a powerful and provocative work that reimagines a well-known American story by focusing on Jim's perspective. He notes that the novel doesn't just humanize Jim in the expected ways but does so in a dizzying manner that challenges readers' preconceived notions. The book is appreciated for its depth and complexity, offering a fresh and unsettling look at historical and cultural themes through Jim's eyes.

Quick quotes

    It's dizzying – and not in the way that you'd expect

    It humanises 'Jim' (James) provocatively

    Presenting iconic American narratives in a new light

Lonesome Reader · 2024-05-03
thought-provoking 4.25

The novel is clever and harrowing, presenting a layered exploration of freedom and identity. The reviewer finds the narrative emotionally powerful and intellectually stimulating.

This review praises the novel for its cleverness and emotional depth, highlighting how it tackles the complex issues of freedom and identity in a nuanced way. The story is described as harrowing at points, suggesting it does not shy away from difficult truths, yet it remains intellectually engaging throughout. The reviewer appreciates the layered narrative that challenges readers to think critically about the characters' experiences and the broader social implications.

Quick quotes

    I found it really clever and harrowing where Everett takes James' story.

    The whole question of freedom and identity becomes much more layered.

    It's an emotional rollercoaster that shines an entirely new light on a classic.

The Indiependent · 2024-04-27
excellent 4.75

The novel offers a corrective lens on American history through the eyes of the runaway slave James, delivering a thrilling and deeply soulful retelling of a classic.

This review highlights James as an emotionally rich and thrilling reimagining of the classic story, emphasizing the perspective of the enslaved slave James rather than the original narrator. It underscores the novel's ability to humanize James profoundly while delivering a narrative that is both historically insightful and morally resonant. The reviewer appreciates the novel for its deep exploration of race, freedom, and survival, portraying James as a fully realized character with agency and intellect rather than merely a symbol of slavery's brutality.

Quick quotes

    A corrective lens on American history through the eyes of a runaway slave.

    James is a thrilling retelling of an age-old classic.

    James is no longer just a symbol of slavery’s brutality—he’s a man with agency, intellect, and an unyielding determination.

The Guardian · 2024-04-08
gripping 4.50

The novel is a powerful and sometimes painful reimagining of Mark Twain's story that centers the enslaved Jim, blending humor with horror to challenge traditional narratives.

This review highlights how Percival Everett's 'James' serves as a gleeful yet sobering reboot of the classic tale by Mark Twain, placing Jim, the enslaved man, at the forefront. The novel explores the brutal realities of slavery while also using sharp wit, making it both a gripping and thought-provoking read that forces readers to reconsider familiar stories from a new, necessary perspective. The reviewer appreciates the way Everett balances the painful truths with moments of dark humor, creating a narrative that is both harrowing and engaging.

Quick quotes

    Percival Everett's gleeful reboot of Mark Twain puts the enslaved Jim centre stage in a horrifying, painful and funny novel.

    It challenges the traditional narrative by centering Jim's perspective with depth and nuance.

    The novel is both harrowing and darkly humorous, making it a compelling reimagining.

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