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A review by mmarlborough
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WOW 5⭐️ alert! This is without a doubt the best book I’ve read so far this year - and it will be tough to beat.
Enslaved Jim learns that he is going to be sold and decides to escape to figure out how to be with his wife and daughter. Simultaneously, Huck Finn has faked his own death to flee his abuse father. The pair join up and help each other - but this is very different than the story we all know told in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” We see everything from Jim’s perspective and get to know his backstory.
This is a BRILLIANT reimagining and I so hope this is taught in schools after reading “Huck Finn.” I’ve never read anything by Everett before and can’t wait to dive into his prolific backlist. His prose is beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking. The layers he paints in Jim involving code switching are complex and intricate. This book was a masterpiece. Just give it the Pulitzer now please.
✨Trigger Warnings: Slavery, Racism, Rape, Murder, Physical Abuse, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Classism, Child Death
Enslaved Jim learns that he is going to be sold and decides to escape to figure out how to be with his wife and daughter. Simultaneously, Huck Finn has faked his own death to flee his abuse father. The pair join up and help each other - but this is very different than the story we all know told in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” We see everything from Jim’s perspective and get to know his backstory.
This is a BRILLIANT reimagining and I so hope this is taught in schools after reading “Huck Finn.” I’ve never read anything by Everett before and can’t wait to dive into his prolific backlist. His prose is beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking. The layers he paints in Jim involving code switching are complex and intricate. This book was a masterpiece. Just give it the Pulitzer now please.
✨Trigger Warnings: Slavery, Racism, Rape, Murder, Physical Abuse, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Classism, Child Death