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djbobthegirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Sexism, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Murder, Rape, Child death, Sexual assault, Animal death, Classism, Violence, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Alcohol, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Racism, Gun violence, and Racial slurs
franklola's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Trafficking, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, War, Child abuse, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
savvylit's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Regardless of your familiarity with Mark Twain's original story and characters, James is a very enjoyable and well-paced historical novel injected with Everett's signature wit.
Thank you @netgalley & @doubledaybooks for the advance reader copy of James in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Death, Child abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, Violence, Trafficking, Slavery, and Alcohol
deedireads's review
- 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
4.75
Everyone’s already calling James — Percival Everett’s reimagining and extension of Huckleberry Finn — a favorite for next year’s Pulitzer Prize. I’ve got to agree.
You don’t need to read Huck Finn first, but I do recommend familiarizing yourself with the story before you start. I read Sparknotes’ detailed chapter summaries and analyses, and I was glad I did.
Everett doesn’t have to prove that he’s one of our modern greats, but he does so with this novel all the same. That’s not too surprising. What did surprise me was how ultra-readable so easy to sink into the book was without losing its electricity and urgency. Top it off with a raging ending and these nuanced, multi-dimensional characters, and holy smokes. It’s one of those books you just know is special as you read.
The audiobook was also stunningly performed by Dominic Hoffman (who, by the way, also read James McBride’s two most recent novels). His talents are on full display with his deft, empathetic handling of James’s voice — both internal and external as he code-switches.
This one is a must-read.
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Rape