Wow! We are on the same page and came into reading it with having read Huck Finn in high school over 20 years ago and having watched American Fiction as the only exposure to Percival Everett. I really enjoyed the book for the same reasons as you and loved that the power of language loomed large on every page. We read this for my book club and I just came back from our meeting surprised that many others didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. I was not a fan of the reveal at the end and agree that the female characters were lacking substance, but overall I loved it!
Your review captured much of my experience of the book (I listened to the audiobook which I felt added to the theatrical impact of it- no surprise it will soon (?) be a Spielberg movie!). Yes, there is considerable suspension of disbelief but that seems appropriate as this, like the source material, is classic storytelling. By recasting Twain’s generally lightweight original through Jim’s/James’ eyes, Everett has so deepened the critique of slavery. How brilliant that the title (and protagonist) are now “James”, not only conferring his adopted self-possession but addressing/correcting Twain’s less than adequate recognition of it: “That’s ‘James’ to you, Mr. Twain!”
I had a very similar level of knowledge with Everett and Huck Finn before reading James except that I did not skim any summaries or SparkNotes for HuckFinn before reading and so had to rely on things feeling familiar from my 19 year old memory of the book 😅. It was actually a very rewarding experience and made me want to immediately reread Huck Finn (a thing i never thought I'd do!) to confirm how well Everett inserted new vignettes that felt like they fit the feel of the narrative. Anyway, thanks for your review!
I've read James and Erasure. It seems he has a running theme of code switching- a tale as old as America. W.E.B. DuBois describes it as a double consciousness of being in black culture and conforming to a wider (and whiter) society. It's a theme he's doing well for now. I hope it's not the only tone/theme he focuses on. I enjoyed both. I haven't watched American Fiction but heard it does clear up the ending of the book. To me, the ending leaves you questioning what's happening. I liked the finality of the ending of James.
I have James checked out from Libby right now. I remember nothing about Huckleberry Finn but, based on your review, I'm thinking I might do a quick skim of it before I read James - it sounds like I'd have a greater appreciation for the way James is written if I get reaquainted with HF. Thanks for this review!
I recently read this and really enjoyed it. However, I'm one of those people who really didn't like Huck Finn--mostly because of how Jim was portrayed, so this felt like it hit in just the right spot for me.
I haven't read "James"--I am just now being informed of its existence by YOU! It sounds captivating. Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" was actually written to show the foolishness of whites' thinking regarding slavery and black people. It caused readers to laugh at white people or shake their heads in dismay. Did Percival Everett think Twain was supporting slavery and responding to that thinking in HIS book? I couldn't fully grasp the perspectives in your review--sorry, my fault.
Wow! We are on the same page and came into reading it with having read Huck Finn in high school over 20 years ago and having watched American Fiction as the only exposure to Percival Everett. I really enjoyed the book for the same reasons as you and loved that the power of language loomed large on every page. We read this for my book club and I just came back from our meeting surprised that many others didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. I was not a fan of the reveal at the end and agree that the female characters were lacking substance, but overall I loved it!
Your review captured much of my experience of the book (I listened to the audiobook which I felt added to the theatrical impact of it- no surprise it will soon (?) be a Spielberg movie!). Yes, there is considerable suspension of disbelief but that seems appropriate as this, like the source material, is classic storytelling. By recasting Twain’s generally lightweight original through Jim’s/James’ eyes, Everett has so deepened the critique of slavery. How brilliant that the title (and protagonist) are now “James”, not only conferring his adopted self-possession but addressing/correcting Twain’s less than adequate recognition of it: “That’s ‘James’ to you, Mr. Twain!”
I had a very similar level of knowledge with Everett and Huck Finn before reading James except that I did not skim any summaries or SparkNotes for HuckFinn before reading and so had to rely on things feeling familiar from my 19 year old memory of the book 😅. It was actually a very rewarding experience and made me want to immediately reread Huck Finn (a thing i never thought I'd do!) to confirm how well Everett inserted new vignettes that felt like they fit the feel of the narrative.
Anyway, thanks for your review!
I love all his books!! Just started James!
I love this review! Im happy to hear a good review i tend to stir away from slave narratives but i will check this book out
RUclips is finally starting to get me and recommend booktubers that read books like me 😊
Woo hoo! Welcome 💚
Definitely adig this one to my list.
I've read James and Erasure. It seems he has a running theme of code switching- a tale as old as America. W.E.B. DuBois describes it as a double consciousness of being in black culture and conforming to a wider (and whiter) society. It's a theme he's doing well for now. I hope it's not the only tone/theme he focuses on. I enjoyed both. I haven't watched American Fiction but heard it does clear up the ending of the book. To me, the ending leaves you questioning what's happening. I liked the finality of the ending of James.
I have James checked out from Libby right now. I remember nothing about Huckleberry Finn but, based on your review, I'm thinking I might do a quick skim of it before I read James - it sounds like I'd have a greater appreciation for the way James is written if I get reaquainted with HF. Thanks for this review!
Seems like a “calmer” slave narrative…sometimes I need to tread lightly w this genre, but I enjoyed American Fiction and Everetts writing style
I recently read this and really enjoyed it. However, I'm one of those people who really didn't like Huck Finn--mostly because of how Jim was portrayed, so this felt like it hit in just the right spot for me.
I haven't read James but I would like to.
Added to tbr
📚📚📚
I haven't read "James"--I am just now being informed of its existence by YOU! It sounds captivating. Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" was actually written to show the foolishness of whites' thinking regarding slavery and black people. It caused readers to laugh at white people or shake their heads in dismay. Did Percival Everett think Twain was supporting slavery and responding to that thinking in HIS book? I couldn't fully grasp the perspectives in your review--sorry, my fault.
No, I don't think Everett thought that. Without spoiling anything, I think he actually plays with that idea in his book
@@rinceyreads I'll put it on my TBR list then. Thanks for your reply.