James – Percival Everett

READ FOR BOOKERTHON

A re-imagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but told from the point of view of the slave, Jim, or James as he prefers to be called in this book. James escapes his owner when he hears he is to be sold, and Huck runs from his violent father. The two meet up and sail away together down the Mississippi River, trying to dodge harm but getting caught up in sorts of situations along the way.

I had never seen a white man filled with such fear. The remarkable truth, however, was that it was not the pistol, but my language, the fact that I didn’t conform to his expectations, that I could read, that had so disturbed and frightened him.

● Some books gently carry the reader through a story. They softly guide us into heartfelt revelations and moments of joy. Be assured that James is no such book. The visceral fear and utter sadness I felt while reading this book kept me awake at night and as the book came closer towards its conclusion the adrenaline surge was almost overwhelming. 

There was one particular moment near the start of the book where I just thought god damn Percival Everett you are actually a genius. I don’t know if this book is one where I would say I ‘enjoyed’ it, but I did love it. A very strong start to my Booker shortlist reading. – Suzy

● In the original, Jim was a caricature, existing only to make Huckleberry Finn look good when he treated the slave with kindness. What Percival Everett has done is give James dimension and a clear voice. As such, James is an astute, clever and good man who puts on an act when white folk are within cooee in order to let them feel superior. Beneath the bravado and dry humour, James lives in a constant state of fear. The stress he has for his safety, and that of his friends and family is immense and it creates a more meaningful read than either Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn.

It was an honour to hear the story from James’ side. Percival Everett is a genius for writing this. I felt for James as though he was a real person and I wanted to cry and/or rejoice at his day to day outcomes. This is an important book, and a riveting read and I’m sure it will join the classic lists in time. – Rachel

Published 2024
Knopf Doubleday
303 pages