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James
by Percival Everett · 2024
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A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and satirical—told from the enslaved Jim's point of view When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. Brimming with nuanced humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim's agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before.…
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"Wonderful perspective and deeply moving."
"This reimagining of *Huckleberry Finn* through the enslaved Jim's perspective fits Barack Obama's interest in narratives that explore American history and identity from diverse viewpoints. It aligns with his consistent inclusion of literary fiction that prompts reflection on societal issues."
"The jokes in James range from chin scratchers to knee slappers to gut busters. Although I’m not sure Percival Everett would even classify them as “jokes.” In his reimagining of the Huckleberry Finn story, Everett mines language, history and irony to showcase brutal truths about America. And yes, it’s often funny. But, like the original source material, things can quickly turn deadly serious depending on how the river flows. This National Book Award-winning novel is thrilling, hilarious, heartbreaking and a strong argument for Everett as one of the best doing it right now."