James (Pulitzer Prize Winner) - Percival Everett

James (Pulitzer Prize Winner)

By Percival Everett

  • Release Date: 2024-03-19
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 3,858 Ratings

Description

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view • In development as a feature film to be produced by Steven Spielberg

KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE • A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times Book Review, LA Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Economist, TIME, and more.

"Genius"—The Atlantic • "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune • "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe • "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times


When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. 

Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before. James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

Reviews

  • Should be a Must Read....

    5
    By vhyo9
    Fascinating viewpoint on slavery. So many perspectives with some trying to justify it.
  • James

    5
    By Donwanone
    Terrible but important tale that needs to be required reading throughout this troubled land
  • Compelling

    4
    By the maestro
    A “true” story of humanity, family and survival. It inverts fables and fantasies to uncover the known world in all its complexity and glory.
  • Powerful.

    5
    By TrinityxLight
    For the black, who have nothing, who can own nothing, who are nothing to society, this book raises its voice, grabs hold of the pencil and writes the story of James. It is so jarring to read through this first person POV, knowing that this is America’s history. That this fiction was an autobiography for others. A mind blowing story, an ultimate page turner.
  • Great Book

    5
    By criddel
    This book helped me to reflect. I loved the strong conclusion
  • Just the read we need…

    5
    By JAMcSoar
    This important novel reminds us the evil of slavery - especially in this day and age where there is a great attempt to rewrite this history in the US. It reads like Voltaire's Candide, a series of adventures and coincidentes, which is referenced by the protagonist. The book, James, touches on many of the common problems we see in our current society including the hypocritical morality of some pious religions and the problems with a society caused by blatant injustice.
  • Disappointed

    1
    By susiematia
    Superficial. predictable. Simple characters that were caricatures with no nuance. Give me Twain any time.
  • Another view

    5
    By drdinbfe
    James is a different view of “Tom Sawyer” and Huckleberry Finn. Difficult to put down,heartbreaking human cruelty worse because you know even of fictional there is truth but at core a novel of family, survival and what you will do for those you love
  • Outstanding

    5
    By Fangsout
    Best book i’ve read in years. Highly recommended.
  • Brilliant

    5
    By KHConde
    One of the most creative and revealing books I have ever read. The idea of flipping a classic such as Huck Finn on its spine and exposing the racism of American history through a misunderstood character that is compassionate, heroic and courageous through a heartbreaking journey. Brilliant and a must read for all Americans.