Review by emmasiporatyler - James

emmasiporatyler 's review for:

James by Percival Everett

5.0

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book is so well written!!!! Essays upon essays could be written about all the brilliant shit Everett did with his retelling of this classic story. Like how did he make such a heavy story so fast-paced (and almost under 300 pages) without glossing over the severity and depth of everything happening? I think this book also hit different for me a biracial Black person. There was so much about passing for white vs. not (or not wanting to), and I appreciate the way Everett explores both the pain and privilege that comes with that. I loved the way the Mississippi River (and nature in general) was ever present in this book - definitely made me think about the unique relationship enslaved people had with the earth/nature. The final third of the book is impossible to put down and gave me actual chills while I was reading. I think that is the fastest I’ve read a book in a long time! As I read, I could viscerally see each scene in my mind’s eye as if I was watching a movie. I don’t mean that to say this book should be turned into a movie, just that the writing is truly THAT good. So smart, so powerful, so captivating - I think everyone should read this!

Content Warnings