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Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

James by Percival Everett

76 reviews

adventurous challenging dark inspiring reflective sad tense

I needed this book in every possible sense. I'm so grateful for what I learned, even though it was painful and heartbreaking, I needed it. I'm guessing most people need this book, and I hope most, if not all, read it. 

I felt this was more of a companion, not a retelling of Huckleberry Finn, but maybe that's just me. I don't think this takes anything away from Twain's classic, on the contrary. I think it elevates the original by introducing an adult perspective to the simple, naive, yet endearing lens of Huck's childhood.

I was left wishing that more classics such as  Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, Uncle Tom's Cabin, etc., could get this same treatment of receiving a companion story from such a well-written, original, and nuanced perspective.  

Phenomenal audio performance delivered with ferocity, vulnerability and sincerity by Dominic Hoffman.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad 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: Complicated

A picture of what life was like for an American slave. It was a gripping tale, very emotional and often challenging. Eye-opening for me, because I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity to experience a story from a slave’s perspective, and it’s such an important perspective to get to witness. I hope to get to read more by this author. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional hopeful tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I’m not sure why exactly but this book just wasn’t for me. The history of it is heartbreaking and I can appreciate that, but the actual writing style was hard for me to get through. I did listen to it on audiobook so I’m not sure if that’s why. The narrator took very long pauses even in the middle of sentences, and it took me out of the story. Also, the sentence structure felt a little too simple and short, so it was difficult to keep my attention. I was afraid I may not have enjoyed it as much because I don’t really remember The Adventures of Huck, but there’s not much overlap I suppose.

There was a lot of focus on the setting, which is understandable but made the story slow for me. 

Overall, a powerful book on the horrors of slavery and strength of the people who had to escape. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous inspiring reflective fast-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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: Yes

This book is EXCELLENT. Brilliant writing, story, characters. This belongs in the canon of great American classics. The twist of perspective we never knew we needed. Each word captivated me. I read this quickly without wanting to put the book down.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective 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

3.85/5

Entertaining, funny, and disturbing.
The story of James just sucks you in.
Ngl kinda felt like it was going off the rails at the end but also...good for him.


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