Percival is a genius! A masterful wordsmith, a black hole! In "James," he is playing with the reader, speaking not about 'black' matters, but about 'gray' matters. Not white people, but "Wide" people (see the image of a black hole). Not slavery, but "Slavic"-ery. Not racism, but "Rascible"-ism. For instance, irascible comes from the Latin word 'irasci,' meaning “to become angry.” So, if someone or something is described as irascible, it means they have a quick temper or are easily provoked to anger. Rudeness. Examples: "The irascible manager had a reputation for snapping at employees." "Her irascible nature made it challenging to have a calm discussion with her." __________ Note: In "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, the racial slur of "n*gger" is used frequently, including in reference to Jim, the enslaved man who is one of the novel’s central characters. The slur appears approximately 200 times throughout the text, used by both the narrator, Huck, and other characters, which feels rude to Black readers.
Percival Everett is becoming one of my favorite writers. A month ago, I read Erasure with a reading group, and we had a great discussion. I'm reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because it's been a long time since I've read most of the story. A rediscovered narrative was published in June 2024, written by John Swanson Jacobs, brother of Harriet Jacobs. In his narrative, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, he details his self-emancipation and boarded a ship that landed in Australia. His story is published in an Australian newspaper, describing the horrors of slavery and harsh critique of the United States' involvement with the institution. It's a counter and unedited narrative to other slave narratives that were edited by white abolitionists to support their antislavery arguments. Reading this rediscovered narrative should give us more context of what Everett is writing about in James.
Love James & Percival Everett - so smart! However, I did decide to read it cold, other than having a very general knowledge of what Huck Finn is about. (I had recently reread “1984” immediately followed by “Julia.” I was bored by the repetition, & annoyed that my mind was constantly assessing the similarities/differences.) So, in this case, I ditched Huck after a few pages & dove into James - & I found it refreshing to read it cold. This summer I do intend to go back & read Huck, as well as reread James.
In Percival Everett’s "James," the interplay of identity and history prompts us to question: Slave, or Slav? Is it slave language, or Yiddish? Jim, or Me? James, or I am? The satire and psychology are sophisticated, showcasing why Everett is regarded as both dark and masterful. In his "retelling" of Huckleberry Finn, Everett suggests that Huck serves as the alter ego of Samuel Clemens, who adopted the pen name Mark Twain-paralleling Jim’s transformation into James. Here, Huck emerges as the true "Slav," as his family’s lineage traces back to colonial immigration from England to America, arriving not as free men but as indentured servants, bound by "slave-like" conditions. Interestingly, Clemens’ mother, Jane de Lampton, may have Slavic (possibly Jewish) roots, further complicating our understanding of identity in the text. This nuanced exploration highlights Everett’s genius, inviting readers to reevaluate the intersections of race, history, and self. Percival's James is indeed Samuel Clemens himself.
Brilliant discussion of this exceptional novel. I especially appreciate your discussion of the issue of language in the novel. And I agree that readers should read Huck Finn first, even though it isn't absolutely necessary. Everett said he was writing this in discourse with Twain, that he was writing the novel that Twain could not have written. It does make the novel that much better if you know what Twain had written long ago. This is the BEST novel that I've read thus far this year (I also reviewed it here a while ago after my book group had met; we all loved the book as well.) Thank you for this most insightful review!
I read "Huckleberry Finn" a few years ago and thought it was a masterpiece. But after hearing your advice about "Finn", I plan to re-read it in order to get maximum appreciation of "James".
I wasn't gonna read this because I've never read Huck Finn (don't even really know what happens in it), but the way people are talking about this book, I think it's something I NEED to read! Thanks for the stellar review, you convinced me!
The book reminds me of one of those Tarantino alterna-history movies in that it starts hewing pretty close to the "source material" and then ends up in a somewhat surreal, ahistorical fantasia of violence. Wasn't quite where I expected to end up, but overall it's a rollicking read.
James was my first percival everett and the tone kept making me think of the film “American Fiction” and lo and behold, it’s a PE film adaptation! I personally didn’t find the book or tone funny at all and instead, overwhelmingly cynical. “AF” felt very cynical/not funny as well. I do think PE is an incredible writer doing interesting work, but not for me. I agree that james is a fast and easy read but i found myself dragging it out dreading to see who perpetrates the next atrocity. I guess i found it lackluster in the overall message of “look how terrible racism is” but it does say that message in a uniquely PE style.
I have read 12 Years a Slave the non-fictional account of a man captured in the North and sent South into slavery. Published in 1853 this excellent memoir accurately depicts slavery and the horrors of being enslaved. When I read a modern fiction writer writing about slavery, I have to remind myself this account is fiction and may not be historically accurate. Slaves have their own language when they can not communicate geographically sounds suspect.
You have a great point. Every new idea in fiction however insightful should not be taken into granted. Anyways, Have you read The language instinct by Steven Pinker? In the first chapter itself, he talks about american black people's linguistic brilliance with amazing analysis. We live in India and my brother loves only black artist rap songs since his adulthood, he likes the lyrics, inspired by the lyrics applying some ideas in his life, and even occasionally tries to write some with similar language structure with local story. He is a tech guy but this is his first type of very personal literature creation. I never fail to wonder what's there in that language structure that has such immense power to move a person radically when thousands of native language books on our shelves at home couldn't do to him . This slave coded language led me to those ideas in pinker book.
You make a very good point. I’m a pretty trusting reader and always assume research has been done to back up the fiction…but maybe not. I shall do some of my own research and see :)
I don't understand all the love for this book. The language thing was really interesting and fun, but got boring once he repeated the point for the 50th time...ok, we get it! The 'reveal' at the end was utterly stupid....ruined the book for me. Good book, but so many flaws - I gave it 3 stars Also, I think the criticism about 12 years a slave is hypocritical. In James, he shows that the slaves' dialect is perfectly understandable to English speakers. It's ridiculous for him to crtitisise the movie when his own work does exactly the same.
Agree. 12 Years is non-fiction. A memoir published in 1853. I believe this account over a fictional writer. Slaves did not have their own language. They were geographically separated.
Does his work do precisely the same, or is it a double entendre? What he says about 12 Years an enslaved person is an observation, and we need to better understand how slave narratives were written at that time. A rediscovered narrative was published in June 2024, written by John Swanson Jacobs, brother of Harriet Jacobs. In his narrative, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, he details his self-emancipation and boarded a ship that landed in Australia. His story is published in an Australian newspaper, describing the horrors of slavery and harsh critique of the United States' involvement with the institution. It's a counter and unedited narrative to other slave narratives that were edited by white abolitionists to support their antislavery arguments. What's missing from the narratives are black people's actual thoughts and humanity. When we examine Harriett Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, the book doesn't capture the humanity of the enslaved. Who's language is it? A black abolitionist at the time harshly criticized the book and wrote Blake, Hut of America, in response. What we are discovering is their motivations? Yes, they wanted to abolish slavery, but most white abolitionists didn't believe in the equality of black people. In fact, many white abolitionists believed and supported the American Colonialization Society, whose mission was to emigrate free black people back to the continent of Africa, the places in the Caribbean, or Brazil. While people such as Angelina and Sarah Grimke are considered the heroines of the antislavery movement, they didn't see black people as equal. Yes, they gave money to their black relatives but did not see or talk to them and ignored anti-black violence. White abolitionists during the time widely held the belief in the inferiority of black people, free or enslaved; while slavery existed in the South, anti-black violence occurred in the North with race riots in places like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Ohio. Minstrel shows were in the North, further disseminating the white imagination of black people, another form of language through music and oral storytelling. As I read James, it's reimaging for the contemporary reader to have different questions about language and its use, and in conversation with Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Percival is a genius! A masterful wordsmith, a black hole! In "James," he is playing with the reader, speaking not about 'black' matters, but about 'gray' matters. Not white people, but "Wide" people (see the image of a black hole). Not slavery, but "Slavic"-ery. Not racism, but "Rascible"-ism. For instance, irascible comes from the Latin word 'irasci,' meaning “to become angry.” So, if someone or something is described as irascible, it means they have a quick temper or are easily provoked to anger. Rudeness.
Examples:
"The irascible manager had a reputation for snapping at employees."
"Her irascible nature made it challenging to have a calm discussion with her."
__________
Note: In "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, the racial slur of "n*gger" is used frequently, including in reference to Jim, the enslaved man who is one of the novel’s central characters. The slur appears approximately 200 times throughout the text, used by both the narrator, Huck, and other characters, which feels rude to Black readers.
I agree with everything you said here particularly the idea that having read Huck Finn is important to reading James.
Thanks for a great review.
Percival Everett is becoming one of my favorite writers. A month ago, I read Erasure with a reading group, and we had a great discussion. I'm reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because it's been a long time since I've read most of the story. A rediscovered narrative was published in June 2024, written by John Swanson Jacobs, brother of Harriet Jacobs. In his narrative, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, he details his self-emancipation and boarded a ship that landed in Australia. His story is published in an Australian newspaper, describing the horrors of slavery and harsh critique of the United States' involvement with the institution. It's a counter and unedited narrative to other slave narratives that were edited by white abolitionists to support their antislavery arguments. Reading this rediscovered narrative should give us more context of what Everett is writing about in James.
I love Percival Everett and James, stood up to my expectations. Great novel.
Love James & Percival Everett - so smart! However, I did decide to read it cold, other than having a very general knowledge of what Huck Finn is about. (I had recently reread “1984” immediately followed by “Julia.” I was bored by the repetition, & annoyed that my mind was constantly assessing the similarities/differences.) So, in this case, I ditched Huck after a few pages & dove into James - & I found it refreshing to read it cold. This summer I do intend to go back & read Huck, as well as reread James.
In Percival Everett’s "James," the interplay of identity and history prompts us to question: Slave, or Slav? Is it slave language, or Yiddish? Jim, or Me? James, or I am? The satire and psychology are sophisticated, showcasing why Everett is regarded as both dark and masterful. In his "retelling" of Huckleberry Finn, Everett suggests that Huck serves as the alter ego of Samuel Clemens, who adopted the pen name Mark Twain-paralleling Jim’s transformation into James. Here, Huck emerges as the true "Slav," as his family’s lineage traces back to colonial immigration from England to America, arriving not as free men but as indentured servants, bound by "slave-like" conditions. Interestingly, Clemens’ mother, Jane de Lampton, may have Slavic (possibly Jewish) roots, further complicating our understanding of identity in the text. This nuanced exploration highlights Everett’s genius, inviting readers to reevaluate the intersections of race, history, and self. Percival's James is indeed Samuel Clemens himself.
Brilliant discussion of this exceptional novel. I especially appreciate your discussion of the issue of language in the novel. And I agree that readers should read Huck Finn first, even though it isn't absolutely necessary. Everett said he was writing this in discourse with Twain, that he was writing the novel that Twain could not have written. It does make the novel that much better if you know what Twain had written long ago. This is the BEST novel that I've read thus far this year (I also reviewed it here a while ago after my book group had met; we all loved the book as well.) Thank you for this most insightful review!
I loved this book! I'm one of those people who didn't like Huckleberry Finn (and I read it shortly before reading James), but I adored James.
I read "Huckleberry Finn" a few years ago and thought it was a masterpiece. But after hearing your advice about "Finn", I plan to re-read it in order to get maximum appreciation of "James".
Just finished it too and totally agree with you. Loved it and love how the humour is used to really make you think.
Quite the review ! Well, I’m #204 on the library list, so I think I will go pick up Huck Finn tomorrow and read it while I wait. Sound advice!
I have it. It’s on my tbr. I’ve been waiting to see a review like this to pick it up. Thank you!!
I wasn't gonna read this because I've never read Huck Finn (don't even really know what happens in it), but the way people are talking about this book, I think it's something I NEED to read! Thanks for the stellar review, you convinced me!
Read Huck Finn. A classic.
@@jobuckley2999 Ya I probably should 😅
If you liked The Trees and James, I recommend Erasure as well.
The book reminds me of one of those Tarantino alterna-history movies in that it starts hewing pretty close to the "source material" and then ends up in a somewhat surreal, ahistorical fantasia of violence. Wasn't quite where I expected to end up, but overall it's a rollicking read.
It’s on my shelf, but waiting to re-read Huck Finn first
Heard nothing but raves about this one. Looking forward to it.
It's definitely better if you have read Huckleberry Finn, but I don't think I would want to read them back-to-back. I also loved The Trees.
James was my first percival everett and the tone kept making me think of the film “American Fiction” and lo and behold, it’s a PE film adaptation! I personally didn’t find the book or tone funny at all and instead, overwhelmingly cynical. “AF” felt very cynical/not funny as well. I do think PE is an incredible writer doing interesting work, but not for me. I agree that james is a fast and easy read but i found myself dragging it out dreading to see who perpetrates the next atrocity. I guess i found it lackluster in the overall message of “look how terrible racism is” but it does say that message in a uniquely PE style.
I have read 12 Years a Slave the non-fictional account of a man captured in the North and sent South into slavery. Published in 1853 this excellent memoir accurately depicts slavery and the horrors of being enslaved. When I read a modern fiction writer writing about slavery, I have to remind myself this account is fiction and may not be historically accurate. Slaves have their own language when they can not communicate geographically sounds suspect.
You have a great point. Every new idea in fiction however insightful should not be taken into granted.
Anyways, Have you read The language instinct by Steven Pinker? In the first chapter itself, he talks about american black people's linguistic brilliance with amazing analysis. We live in India and my brother loves only black artist rap songs since his adulthood, he likes the lyrics, inspired by the lyrics applying some ideas in his life, and even occasionally tries to write some with similar language structure with local story. He is a tech guy but this is his first type of very personal literature creation. I never fail to wonder what's there in that language structure that has such immense power to move a person radically when thousands of native language books on our shelves at home couldn't do to him . This slave coded language led me to those ideas in pinker book.
You make a very good point. I’m a pretty trusting reader and always assume research has been done to back up the fiction…but maybe not. I shall do some of my own research and see :)
I don't understand all the love for this book. The language thing was really interesting and fun, but got boring once he repeated the point for the 50th time...ok, we get it!
The 'reveal' at the end was utterly stupid....ruined the book for me. Good book, but so many flaws - I gave it 3 stars
Also, I think the criticism about 12 years a slave is hypocritical. In James, he shows that the slaves' dialect is perfectly understandable to English speakers. It's ridiculous for him to crtitisise the movie when his own work does exactly the same.
Agree. 12 Years is non-fiction. A memoir published in 1853. I believe this account over a fictional writer. Slaves did not have their own language. They were geographically separated.
Does his work do precisely the same, or is it a double entendre? What he says about 12 Years an enslaved person is an observation, and we need to better understand how slave narratives were written at that time. A rediscovered narrative was published in June 2024, written by John Swanson Jacobs, brother of Harriet Jacobs. In his narrative, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, he details his self-emancipation and boarded a ship that landed in Australia. His story is published in an Australian newspaper, describing the horrors of slavery and harsh critique of the United States' involvement with the institution. It's a counter and unedited narrative to other slave narratives that were edited by white abolitionists to support their antislavery arguments. What's missing from the narratives are black people's actual thoughts and humanity. When we examine Harriett Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, the book doesn't capture the humanity of the enslaved. Who's language is it? A black abolitionist at the time harshly criticized the book and wrote Blake, Hut of America, in response. What we are discovering is their motivations? Yes, they wanted to abolish slavery, but most white abolitionists didn't believe in the equality of black people. In fact, many white abolitionists believed and supported the American Colonialization Society, whose mission was to emigrate free black people back to the continent of Africa, the places in the Caribbean, or Brazil. While people such as Angelina and Sarah Grimke are considered the heroines of the antislavery movement, they didn't see black people as equal. Yes, they gave money to their black relatives but did not see or talk to them and ignored anti-black violence.
White abolitionists during the time widely held the belief in the inferiority of black people, free or enslaved; while slavery existed in the South, anti-black violence occurred in the North with race riots in places like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Ohio. Minstrel shows were in the North, further disseminating the white imagination of black people, another form of language through music and oral storytelling. As I read James, it's reimaging for the contemporary reader to have different questions about language and its use, and in conversation with Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.