Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s Reviews > James
James
by
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s review
bookshelves: audiobook, physical-arc, favorites, 2024-favorite-reads
Mar 20, 2024
bookshelves: audiobook, physical-arc, favorites, 2024-favorite-reads
*Longlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize*
“With my pencil I wrote myself into being. I wrote myself to here.”
When James (“Jim”), an enslaved man, hears that he is to be separated from his family and sold to a man from New Orleans, he runs away, intending to find a way to secure freedom for himself and his family. He is joined by young Huckleberry Finn, who is running from his abusive father. James is aware of Huck’s plight and is protective of him. The narrative is shared from James’s first-person PoV as he embarks on a life-altering journey.
James by Percival Everett has essentially been described as a reimagining of Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In my humble opinion, Percival Everett’s masterpiece is much more than that. The first segment of this novel explores familiar territory from within the framework of the classic that inspired this novel, but presenting the story from James’s PoV adds much depth and perspective to the story many of us have enjoyed over the years. James’s perspective adds a dimension of maturity and a more somber tone to what many of us consider a childhood classic.
“Waiting is a big part of a slave’s life, waiting and waiting to wait some more. Waiting for demands. Waiting for food. Waiting for the end of days. Waiting for the just and deserved Christian reward at the end of it all.”
Frankly, I thought the lighter moments described in this novel were less humorous (the satirical element and the irony evoke amusement) and more thought-provoking. The author never resorts to embellishments, even in the most intense moments. James’s approach to life as an enslaved man compelled to suppress his true self, sharing his wisdom on how to survive and navigate through a world that has mostly been cruel to him and his fellow men, is expressed eloquently but often in a reserved tone.
“White folks expect us to sound a certain way and it can only help if we don’t disappoint them..”
As the narrative progresses, the author takes a detour from his source material and assumes ownership of James’s narrative, presenting our protagonist as a brave, perceptive and wise, self-taught learned person with compassion for his fellow beings. He holds no illusions about the consequences of his actions, fully aware that if caught his fate would differ from that of his fellow runaway Huck. His musings on slavery, racism, religion, the human condition and humanity in general are expressed through his imagined conversations with characters whose works he has been reading in secret.
“How strange a world, how strange an existence, that that one’s equal must argue for one’s equality, that one’s equal must hold a station that allows airing of an argument, that one cannot make that argument for oneself, that premises of said argument must be vetted by those equals who do not agree.”
James’s journey is not an easy one and the author does not try to paint it as such. Each of James’s experiences, the consequences of the choices he makes along the and the people he meets (slavers, tricksters, liars and fellow enslaved men and women who have experienced unimaginable cruelty at the hands of their masters) contribute to his understanding of the world around him and the perils he will inevitably face on the road he has chosen to travel. His companion Huck is often unable to comprehend the dangers James could potentially face , often puzzled by what he assumes is James’ uncharacteristic behavior, leading to many meaningful, heartfelt conversations between the two. Needless to say, some scenes are difficult to read, which is to be expected given the subject matter. Set in the years leading up to the Civil War, James is aware of the growing tensions over the issue of slavery but what does this mean for James and his quest for freedom? Will he be able to protect his family from a fate decided for them by those whose intentions and actions are driven by self-interest and utter disregard for human life? Everett tells a story that will stay with you long after you have finished this novel with a surprise revelation toward the end that will change the way you think about the characters and the books that inspired this one.
Heart-wrenching, brutally honest, yet brilliantly crafted and immersive with superb characterization and emotional depth, James by Percival Everett is a memorable read. This novel is surely going on my list of favorite reads of 2024. I read an ARC of this novel and promptly ordered a finished copy for my personal collection.
After the novel was published, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman who has done a remarkable job of breathing life into the characters and this story. All the stars for the audio narration!
This is my third time reading Percival Everett, after The Trees and Dr. No , and I’m glad to say that with James, he does not disappoint!
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. James was published on March 19, 2024.
Note: I would suggest reading/revisiting the events described in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before picking up this novel to better appreciate Percival Everett’s creativity and brilliance in crafting James.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
“With my pencil I wrote myself into being. I wrote myself to here.”
When James (“Jim”), an enslaved man, hears that he is to be separated from his family and sold to a man from New Orleans, he runs away, intending to find a way to secure freedom for himself and his family. He is joined by young Huckleberry Finn, who is running from his abusive father. James is aware of Huck’s plight and is protective of him. The narrative is shared from James’s first-person PoV as he embarks on a life-altering journey.
James by Percival Everett has essentially been described as a reimagining of Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In my humble opinion, Percival Everett’s masterpiece is much more than that. The first segment of this novel explores familiar territory from within the framework of the classic that inspired this novel, but presenting the story from James’s PoV adds much depth and perspective to the story many of us have enjoyed over the years. James’s perspective adds a dimension of maturity and a more somber tone to what many of us consider a childhood classic.
“Waiting is a big part of a slave’s life, waiting and waiting to wait some more. Waiting for demands. Waiting for food. Waiting for the end of days. Waiting for the just and deserved Christian reward at the end of it all.”
Frankly, I thought the lighter moments described in this novel were less humorous (the satirical element and the irony evoke amusement) and more thought-provoking. The author never resorts to embellishments, even in the most intense moments. James’s approach to life as an enslaved man compelled to suppress his true self, sharing his wisdom on how to survive and navigate through a world that has mostly been cruel to him and his fellow men, is expressed eloquently but often in a reserved tone.
“White folks expect us to sound a certain way and it can only help if we don’t disappoint them..”
As the narrative progresses, the author takes a detour from his source material and assumes ownership of James’s narrative, presenting our protagonist as a brave, perceptive and wise, self-taught learned person with compassion for his fellow beings. He holds no illusions about the consequences of his actions, fully aware that if caught his fate would differ from that of his fellow runaway Huck. His musings on slavery, racism, religion, the human condition and humanity in general are expressed through his imagined conversations with characters whose works he has been reading in secret.
“How strange a world, how strange an existence, that that one’s equal must argue for one’s equality, that one’s equal must hold a station that allows airing of an argument, that one cannot make that argument for oneself, that premises of said argument must be vetted by those equals who do not agree.”
James’s journey is not an easy one and the author does not try to paint it as such. Each of James’s experiences, the consequences of the choices he makes along the and the people he meets (slavers, tricksters, liars and fellow enslaved men and women who have experienced unimaginable cruelty at the hands of their masters) contribute to his understanding of the world around him and the perils he will inevitably face on the road he has chosen to travel. His companion Huck is often unable to comprehend the dangers James could potentially face , often puzzled by what he assumes is James’ uncharacteristic behavior, leading to many meaningful, heartfelt conversations between the two. Needless to say, some scenes are difficult to read, which is to be expected given the subject matter. Set in the years leading up to the Civil War, James is aware of the growing tensions over the issue of slavery but what does this mean for James and his quest for freedom? Will he be able to protect his family from a fate decided for them by those whose intentions and actions are driven by self-interest and utter disregard for human life? Everett tells a story that will stay with you long after you have finished this novel with a surprise revelation toward the end that will change the way you think about the characters and the books that inspired this one.
Heart-wrenching, brutally honest, yet brilliantly crafted and immersive with superb characterization and emotional depth, James by Percival Everett is a memorable read. This novel is surely going on my list of favorite reads of 2024. I read an ARC of this novel and promptly ordered a finished copy for my personal collection.
After the novel was published, I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman who has done a remarkable job of breathing life into the characters and this story. All the stars for the audio narration!
This is my third time reading Percival Everett, after The Trees and Dr. No , and I’m glad to say that with James, he does not disappoint!
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. James was published on March 19, 2024.
Note: I would suggest reading/revisiting the events described in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before picking up this novel to better appreciate Percival Everett’s creativity and brilliance in crafting James.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
March 20, 2024
– Shelved
March 20, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 93 (93 new)
message 1:
by
Tara
(new)
Mar 20, 2024 12:02PM
I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this one! 😊
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Wonderful..waiting for the library to lift the hold I placed on a copy. Did you see the GR interview with Everett? If not, go to his page and read it. Truly a remarkable author, artist, professor and more
I just downloaded this one, I am so happy to see those stars! I look forward to your review, Sujoya. 🤗💕
Excellent review, Sujoya! I've never been a big fan of Huckleberry Finn, so if this novel is better, I'd rather read this directly. Your feedback of it is amazing!
I just got my physical copy in the mail, but will be reading it in the near future... I have some 'house stuff' to work on, but am so glad to know that you loved this!
An enticing review, Sujoya. I wondered if revisiting the classic first would be a good idea. Good to know!🥰
One of my favorite professors introduced me to Percival Everett's work when he assigned Erasure as a class text. I've never read anyone quite like him. Thanks for putting this one on my radar, Sujoya!
Terrific detailed review and I couldn't agree more. One of the most unique, compelling and creative stories today
Oh this is fantastic, I had no idea about this one - I'm going to have to track it down. Wonderful review, Sujoya!
Can’t wait to read this one, it will be my 2nd Everett book (blow away by The Trees). Great review, Sujoya!
Tara ♎️ (Trying to catch up—Health) wrote: "I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this one! 😊"
This was phenomenal, Tara! 😊
This was phenomenal, Tara! 😊
Jonathan wrote: "Wonderful..waiting for the library to lift the hold I placed on a copy. Did you see the GR interview with Everett? If not, go to his page and read it. Truly a remarkable author, artist, professor a..."
Haope you love this one too, Jonathan! 😊 Yes I did read his GR interview and I couldn't agree more!
Haope you love this one too, Jonathan! 😊 Yes I did read his GR interview and I couldn't agree more!
Jsiva wrote: "Oooh do tell Sujoya! ☺️"
I honestly couldn't pen a review that would do justice to this brilliant author, but I've tried!😊
I honestly couldn't pen a review that would do justice to this brilliant author, but I've tried!😊
message 32:
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
(last edited Mar 31, 2024 04:25PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
message 33:
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
(last edited Apr 01, 2024 09:10AM)
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Darla wrote: "Looking forward to seeing your thoughts. Glad to see all those stars! 🌟"
Brilliant, phenomenal and the kind of story that I immediately wanted to read again!😊
Brilliant, phenomenal and the kind of story that I immediately wanted to read again!😊
Margaret M - (on holiday wrote: "What an endorsement. Glad you enjoyed so much Sujoya. Looking forward to reading your comments 💖"
Loved this one, Margaret!💙
Loved this one, Margaret!💙
Shelley's Book Nook wrote: "I just downloaded this one, I am so happy to see those stars! I look forward to your review, Sujoya. 🤗💕"
I couldn't recommend this one enough, Shelley! Hope you enjoy it too!😊💜
I couldn't recommend this one enough, Shelley! Hope you enjoy it too!😊💜
message 36:
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
(last edited Mar 31, 2024 04:29PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Fran wrote: "Sujoya....How awesome is that to want to reread a splendid book! Looking forward to your thoughts!💜"
I loved this one Fran!💙 Thank you!
I loved this one Fran!💙 Thank you!
Marilyn (trying to catch up) wrote: "Excellent review, as always, Sujoya!💜 Just added this one. Thanks."
Thank you kindly, Marilyn!💙 Happy Reading!
Thank you kindly, Marilyn!💙 Happy Reading!
message 39:
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
(last edited Apr 02, 2024 10:23PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Rosh (is busy; will catch up soon!) wrote: "Excellent review, Sujoya! I've never been a big fan of Huckleberry Finn, so if this novel is better, I'd rather read this directly. Your feedback of it is amazing!"
Thank you kindly, Rosh!😊 As a child I enjoyed Mark Twain's stories but I honestly don't know how I'd feel about them now. James is a mature novel , thematically more intense and definitely intended to send a more powerful message.
Thank you kindly, Rosh!😊 As a child I enjoyed Mark Twain's stories but I honestly don't know how I'd feel about them now. James is a mature novel , thematically more intense and definitely intended to send a more powerful message.
Cheri wrote: "I just got my physical copy in the mail, but will be reading it in the near future... I have some 'house stuff' to work on, but am so glad to know that you loved this!"
Thank you so much, Cheri!😊 I look forward to your thoughts!
Thank you so much, Cheri!😊 I look forward to your thoughts!
Darla wrote: "An enticing review, Sujoya. I wondered if revisiting the classic first would be a good idea. Good to know!🥰"
Thank you, Darla! 😊
Thank you, Darla! 😊
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "I definitely plan to read it. Terrific review, Sujoya!"
Many thanks, Jennifer!😊 Hope you love it too!
Many thanks, Jennifer!😊 Hope you love it too!
A wrote: "Oh this is fantastic, I had no idea about this one - I'm going to have to track it down. Wonderful review, Sujoya!"
Thank you, A!😊 Definitely one of the best books I've read this year!
Thank you, A!😊 Definitely one of the best books I've read this year!