22.4k reviews for:

James

Percival Everett

4.52 AVERAGE

dark funny reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Complicated

This was very well written, but definitely depressing. I’ve never read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, so I don’t have anything to compare this to. Let’s just say the goodreads blurb about this book didn’t give much of a heads up haha. There were too many sad and disturbing things that happened for me to be able to say I fully enjoyed the book.

I would hesitate to recommend this one!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense 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
informative sad slow-paced
adventurous dark hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful
challenging dark inspiring 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

I found this book to be a rollercoaster of a read. It has moments that feel exciting, gut-wrenching, introspective, and powerful. I liked how often Everett played with the idea of a ‘good oppressor’ and then quickly reminded us that such a thing doesn’t exist. I loved James’ character, the way he changed from the start of the book until the end as he spiraled into vengeful determination. I also really liked how he chose the name James for himself. It’s not so different from ‘Jim’, but it’s his own, a symbol of the reclamation of his autonomy. As the readers are learning of James in terms of who he is and what’s important to him, Everett is sure to remind us that as a black man in the 1860s his hopes, dreams, and personhood didn’t matter to those who’s did. This, coupled with his descriptions of the evil nature of the white man, provides a thought-provoking reflection of race and identity, and most importantly, of power. If I were to give one criticism of the book, it would be how predictable James’ revelation to Huck was, which kinda had me rolling my eyes 😬. Asides from that, it’s a fantastic, it’s fast-paced without doing the topic injustice, and it’s not to mention quite funny at times. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

I love this book soo much
adventurous challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes