Reviews - James | The StoryGraph

23k reviews for:

James

Percival Everett

4.52 AVERAGE

jdomi's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lastelle21's review against another edition

5.0

When this book was selected as our book club monthly read, I was deeply skeptical, but I feel in love with it. It's really good. Some notes:
1. I found the appearances of the philosophers very interesting. It reminds me of different concepts for (under)development and an interesting examination of why Black might seem inferior
2. There was one or two mentions that slaves don't feel things like a regular person, and I think it's horrific that this is still an ongoing misconception that plagues the medical community
3. I could go on and on about the clever usage of language and dialogue when Jim is speaking to whites vs. blacks. The line about "correct incorrect grammar" near the beginning did me in. That being said, I wonder if it was necessary to include a full-blown explanation between the switch. I thought it was pretty clear.
4. I grappled with this responsibility Jim feels towards Huck... let's just say, woo mama what a reveal
5. "Fluent in a language no white person could master" lol amen to that, brother. Makes me think about the Customer Service Voice tm and tailoring language to white expectations.
6. Need I even touch on the complexities of colorism and being "closer to white?"
Anyway, very good read. Happy to add this to my shelf.

dadkiziksneverworn's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

sarahmaeanderson's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective 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: No

The social commentary in this book is immensely powerful.

audge535's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

hambone2's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective 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

m1004's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

So many characters and perspectives to think about not just Jim’s. It is a deep dive into the lives of slaves and the way that they thought of their lives back then. How they believed they mattered in the worlds they lived in and if they mattered at all. Such a well written story. I truly enjoyed the adventure that Jim went on with all the characters throughout his adventure and his own journey to figure out who he was. It also reminds us that we are still on our journey today as we venture through this world as people of color.