Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by kenbooky
James by Percival Everett
5.0
SPOILERS WITH A CAPITAL “S”
In "James" by Percival Everett, the narrative offers a profound corrective reimagining of Jim from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Everett exposes James as his true, learned scholar, self whose mysticism, as described in my previous review of Huck Finn is seen less as a caricature of slave culture and southern superstition, and more a nod to his survival instincts and is a vital part of his character. A standout scene involves a snake bite where James quickly acts, knowing that clay can absorb the poison, demonstrating his resourcefulness. The novel’s language and code-switching are masterful, reflecting the diverse and complex identities James navigates. The story’s structure, consistently following the passing of characters, feels like stepping stones, highlighting moments significant to James but often unnoticed by Huck. Conversations, such as Huck asking James what he would name himself and James explaining the native tradition of naming based on likes or skills, are given more weight. James humorously decides he would be called "James Go Lightly." This narrative choice flips the previous story on its head, emphasizing what is deemed unimportant in the original. Moments like Huck’s visit to Jim’s family, with the unsatisfactory observation that they "looked sad," reflect this shift. By focusing on James’s inner monologues and plans to free his family, Everett challenges the reader to reconsider the original narrative's perspective and all that was decisively left out. Everett portrays James’s reflections on slavery and religion with a poignant depth. James’s belief that no God would allow slavery adds a layer of existential struggle to his character. His moments of solitude with his books, which Huck finds unbelievable, provide a window into his philosophical and theological ruminations.Eventually leading to a standoff where James will refer to himself as, “The Angel of Death.”
Lying is another significant theme. James lies to comfort others, contrasting the mischievous lies of Huck and Tom in Twain’s original tales. This is evident when James reassures Norman about the safety of their boat, despite his own uncertainties, to alleviate Norman’s fear.
Everett also strategically interweaves specific story beats from Huck Finn while presenting them anew from James’s perspective. This approach suggests that the entire "Huckleberry Finn" narrative was actually a plagiarized telling of James’s escape story turned into something more palpable for white readers. One compelling example is when James, proposes pushing their canoe in front of a moving boat—a plan originally attributed to Huck in the previous novel.
The novel also addresses the theme of white masters’ neglect or deliberate hindrance of material repairs, making slaves’ work even more dangerous and unbearable. This adds another layer of critique to the institution of slavery and the systemic cruelty embedded within it. How can someone do the work forced upon them with dull tools?
I loved this story. I think it's baffling to have ever believed Huck Finn to come to adult conclusions about race all on his own. It is very obvious now how much of an invisible hand James would have had in the original to have taught such lessons to Huck. … or should I say Jr….
In "James" by Percival Everett, the narrative offers a profound corrective reimagining of Jim from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Everett exposes James as his true, learned scholar, self whose mysticism, as described in my previous review of Huck Finn is seen less as a caricature of slave culture and southern superstition, and more a nod to his survival instincts and is a vital part of his character. A standout scene involves a snake bite where James quickly acts, knowing that clay can absorb the poison, demonstrating his resourcefulness. The novel’s language and code-switching are masterful, reflecting the diverse and complex identities James navigates. The story’s structure, consistently following the passing of characters, feels like stepping stones, highlighting moments significant to James but often unnoticed by Huck. Conversations, such as Huck asking James what he would name himself and James explaining the native tradition of naming based on likes or skills, are given more weight. James humorously decides he would be called "James Go Lightly." This narrative choice flips the previous story on its head, emphasizing what is deemed unimportant in the original. Moments like Huck’s visit to Jim’s family, with the unsatisfactory observation that they "looked sad," reflect this shift. By focusing on James’s inner monologues and plans to free his family, Everett challenges the reader to reconsider the original narrative's perspective and all that was decisively left out. Everett portrays James’s reflections on slavery and religion with a poignant depth. James’s belief that no God would allow slavery adds a layer of existential struggle to his character. His moments of solitude with his books, which Huck finds unbelievable, provide a window into his philosophical and theological ruminations.Eventually leading to a standoff where James will refer to himself as, “The Angel of Death.”
Lying is another significant theme. James lies to comfort others, contrasting the mischievous lies of Huck and Tom in Twain’s original tales. This is evident when James reassures Norman about the safety of their boat, despite his own uncertainties, to alleviate Norman’s fear.
Everett also strategically interweaves specific story beats from Huck Finn while presenting them anew from James’s perspective. This approach suggests that the entire "Huckleberry Finn" narrative was actually a plagiarized telling of James’s escape story turned into something more palpable for white readers. One compelling example is when James, proposes pushing their canoe in front of a moving boat—a plan originally attributed to Huck in the previous novel.
The novel also addresses the theme of white masters’ neglect or deliberate hindrance of material repairs, making slaves’ work even more dangerous and unbearable. This adds another layer of critique to the institution of slavery and the systemic cruelty embedded within it. How can someone do the work forced upon them with dull tools?
I loved this story. I think it's baffling to have ever believed Huck Finn to come to adult conclusions about race all on his own. It is very obvious now how much of an invisible hand James would have had in the original to have taught such lessons to Huck. … or should I say Jr….