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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
fast-paced
reflective
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't normally like prize winning books, but I truly enjoyed (if that's the right word) this novel that rewrites Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the escaped slave, Jim. He's trying to get away from being sold away from his family with the hopes that one day he (or his representative) can return to buy the freedom of his wife and daughter. But events - and white people - keep getting in his way. He is never caught for running away, but yet he becomes the property of white people on several occasions, all while trying to protect Huck and other escaped slaves. It is harrowing and hopeful at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one is not yet banned, though there are discussions about banning it for language and racial discussions (anti-CRT folks hate that), much like the book from which it draws inspiration. This is a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s POV. I prepped for this by reading both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn a few months ago. I wouldn’t say you need to read those beforehand, but it did help inform me quite a bit, so I’d recommend it. The ending was Tarantino-esque. It really ramped up to a place where you were rooting for a very dramatic, bloody event (perhaps a bit revisionist in a good way). I really enjoyed this one. This is one of my favorite authors I’ve discovered this year (read Erasure a few months ago and loved it). He’s so witty and blunt and the writing is smart and sparks so much conversation. This book was short-listed for the Booker Award (did not win) and won the National Book Award. Very deserved. Highly recommend any work by this author.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautifully written, this classical retelling brings you right back to the raft with Huck and Jim. I was surprised at how much I remembered from reading Huck Finn in junior high and this retelling led to some really visceral reactions. This should be required reading for anyone who’s read Mark Twain’s work as this tells it like it is. The minstrel show scene was very impactful. Can’t wait to talk about this with NCS Book Club!