I actually left a similar comment on another booktube channel reviewing the book (I think Roro reads'), along the lines that James reminded me of a Quentin Tarantino movie (I was specifically thinking of Inglorious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, not having seen Django Unchained)--it starts out hewing pretty close to the "source material" (the historical setting/events in the case of QT's movies, Twain's novel in this case) but then deviates, ending in a completely ahistorical fantasia of violence. Glad to see that you made the same connection.
Like you I was blown away by The Trees and have vowed to read more of Percival Everett - but I haven’t got beyond buying in American Desert, Virgil Russell and Telephone. However I did read this last month and like everyone I loved it. I especially liked the casual way you come to understand the complete lack of choice and autonomy that James has - you knew it in theory but it really comes home with the novel. I can see what you mean by the ending - slightly stretching the suspension of disbelief maybe. But that might be the point - I don’t think he is writing realist fiction so why not have the audience cheering in their seats at the end! As you said and I agree, Everett seems to be more interested in ideas and doesn’t waste a whole lot of time on character development and background detail either - so it’s not a book that I feel will reveal much more on multiple readings. This might be why Hisham Matar could be a more likely winner as the judges have to read the books three times by the end.
I cannot wait to get to James. I've been saving it for a long weekend when I can focus on it. I love The Trees, but I need to read more by Everett. I do have God's Country which is a spoof on a Western that sounds interesting.
I actually left a similar comment on another booktube channel reviewing the book (I think Roro reads'), along the lines that James reminded me of a Quentin Tarantino movie (I was specifically thinking of Inglorious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, not having seen Django Unchained)--it starts out hewing pretty close to the "source material" (the historical setting/events in the case of QT's movies, Twain's novel in this case) but then deviates, ending in a completely ahistorical fantasia of violence. Glad to see that you made the same connection.
I think if you watch Django, you'll see an even closer connection. It's also bags of fun.
Like you I was blown away by The Trees and have vowed to read more of Percival Everett - but I haven’t got beyond buying in American Desert, Virgil Russell and Telephone. However I did read this last month and like everyone I loved it. I especially liked the casual way you come to understand the complete lack of choice and autonomy that James has - you knew it in theory but it really comes home with the novel.
I can see what you mean by the ending - slightly stretching the suspension of disbelief maybe. But that might be the point - I don’t think he is writing realist fiction so why not have the audience cheering in their seats at the end! As you said and I agree, Everett seems to be more interested in ideas and doesn’t waste a whole lot of time on character development and background detail either - so it’s not a book that I feel will reveal much more on multiple readings. This might be why Hisham Matar could be a more likely winner as the judges have to read the books three times by the end.
I'm not a re-reader so I don't envy the judges, but I think there may be stuff to admire in James if I were to read it a second time.
I cannot wait to get to James. I've been saving it for a long weekend when I can focus on it. I love The Trees, but I need to read more by Everett. I do have God's Country which is a spoof on a Western that sounds interesting.
Haven't got to God's Country yet, but everything else I've read by Everett has been great.
I generally agree with you about Everett’s endings, but not in this case. I may have a video about it.
Just caught up with your excellent review. I'm just happy to have more Everett back catalog to explore!
@@GuiltyFeat what is the book you reference @6:10 ? I didn't quite catch it.
Edit: Between the World and Me | Ta-Nehisi Coates (?)
@@Barklord yes. That’s it.