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adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
"My name is James. I'm going to get my family. You can come with me or you can stay here. You can come and try freedom or you can stay here. You can die with me trying to find freedom or you can stay here and be dead anyway. My name is James."
This was a brilliant retelling of an American classic; a must read for everyone. If you like historical fiction, adventure, and a true underdog story of heartbreak, racial struggles, and the meaning of family, this book is for you.
I reread The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before picking this up, and I didn’t know what to expect going into this. Everett took an American classic and gave it the extra emotion and personality that it needed.
James is a reimagining that tells the story from the perspective of Jim, the slave. This book brought many devastating topics to light, but it also created a sense of hope, bravery, self empowerment, and triumph. Jim’s investment in himself and learning to read and write was so inspiring. It honestly humbled my heart to put myself in his shoes and feel such joy over owning a pencil!
The incorporation of philosophers in this book really resonated with me as someone with a bachelors in philosophy. The emphasis on reading and writing also spoke to me as an avid reader and aspiring author. Jim’s speech and articulation when he conversed with other slaves, and especially at the end when speaking to Hopkins and Thatcher, had me rooting for him over and over again.
I was so moved and heart-struck by this book. So many parts were heard to read, but by the end you will be jumping up and down and wiping your tears. Everett also incorporates wit and humor into this tragic masterpiece of a book. HIGHLY recommend.
“She was dead when I found her,” I said. “She’s just now died again, but this time she died free.”
Difficult topics/trigger warnings:
💎 Slavery and physical abuse/murder
💎 Sexual assault/rape
💎 Racism and racial slurs
This was a brilliant retelling of an American classic; a must read for everyone. If you like historical fiction, adventure, and a true underdog story of heartbreak, racial struggles, and the meaning of family, this book is for you.
I reread The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before picking this up, and I didn’t know what to expect going into this. Everett took an American classic and gave it the extra emotion and personality that it needed.
James is a reimagining that tells the story from the perspective of Jim, the slave. This book brought many devastating topics to light, but it also created a sense of hope, bravery, self empowerment, and triumph. Jim’s investment in himself and learning to read and write was so inspiring. It honestly humbled my heart to put myself in his shoes and feel such joy over owning a pencil!
The incorporation of philosophers in this book really resonated with me as someone with a bachelors in philosophy. The emphasis on reading and writing also spoke to me as an avid reader and aspiring author. Jim’s speech and articulation when he conversed with other slaves, and especially at the end when speaking to Hopkins and Thatcher, had me rooting for him over and over again.
I was so moved and heart-struck by this book. So many parts were heard to read, but by the end you will be jumping up and down and wiping your tears. Everett also incorporates wit and humor into this tragic masterpiece of a book. HIGHLY recommend.
“She was dead when I found her,” I said. “She’s just now died again, but this time she died free.”
Difficult topics/trigger warnings:
💎 Slavery and physical abuse/murder
💎 Sexual assault/rape
💎 Racism and racial slurs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery
Moderate: Death
Minor: Rape, War