James (Pulitzer Prize Winner): A Novel

I loved this book. A retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through the eyes of Jim, the runaway slave. JAMES was at turns funny, poignant, tragic, and turning (later in the novel) VERY dark. Themes relating to language and identity are presented almost immediately and carried throughout the novel, both in terms of dialect, “secret language”, and depth of communication. The book starts out with scenes right out of Mark Twain’s classic, of Huck and Tom playing games on Jim, and Jim putting up with it, and soon Huck and Jim are fleeing down the Mississippi River. But quickly, Huck becomes a smaller and smaller background role, and Jim the guiding force, and for much of the story we learn what happened to Jim while they were separated. The author does not stay true to canon, and there were a couple plot twists I was not thrilled with, although I can understand the rational for them, relating to family engagements and redemption. What starts off sweet and silly turns violent and vengeful. But this was an engaging, rich story overall, and I enjoyed the journey—this latest chapter—in these characters’ lives! Five out of Five stars

I felt this book shared an experience and way of seeing a situation that is new to this story of a boy and a slave traveling together, working together to survive. The tale has a richness from the wonderful writing that made it a delight to read.

I'm unsure if there is anything I can say about this book that hasn't been said before. James has been touted as " a brilliant, action-packed re-imagining of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn..." but I believe it is more than that. James may start as a retelling of Huck's story. However, it soon becomes Jim's story. Through Jim's perspective, the reader sees the inhumane acts that slavery subjects him to. Through prose, Percival Everett expressed some deep thoughts about racism in the South.Some scenes were extremely graphic and made me cringe. Others made me ashamed to be white! Yet, I could not put this book down. I was captivated by Jim's determination to read e-unite his family. It was action-packed and emotionally intense.James is a novel that deserves the hype. It may require you to step out of your everyday genre. James may challenge your way of thinking. But you will be glad you experienced this.

"Looks like you’re my slave for a little while.” This offended him. “I’m no slave.” “Do you want to be rowing?” I asked. “No,” I supplied his answer. “Are you getting paid for rowing? No. Are you rowing because you’re afraid of me and what I might do to you? Yes, Judge Thatcher.” “I’m no slave.” I pointed the barrel of the pistol at his face. “Row faster,” I said. He did.----What a mighty piece of work. The familiar story told in an unfamiliar tone. In a current American environment in which we are being told not to think or to reason or to consider others, this story is so clear and so obvious and yet so totally unexpected. Thank you for this brilliant vision.

I just finished reading JAMES this morning. The novel does deserve the Pulitzer Prize because of its writing as well as the story. In a fast reading 300 pages (I read it over the weekend), Everett tells not only an exciting story but somehow manages to show the reader the horrors of slavery.I was a bit put off in the beginning because this book starts at the eve of the Civil War and Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn in 1885. However, I believe the author meant to use Huck Finn almost as a side character although Huck was in most of the scenes.I learned a lot and felt like Percival Everett’s was similar to Ernest Hemingway: concise, clear and emotional.

James has been on the best sellers list for ages. It deserves its wide interest by many people. It starts out as a rewrite of "Huckleberry Finn" from the slave's perspective but soon turns into his own story. It's an excellent book about that time period and the attitudes of the people. However, it never preaches or beats the reader over the head. It's an adventure and friendship story with unexpected events and twists. It's well imagined and written. I can't imagine any reader not fascinated by every page right up to the end.

Percival Everett's James follows Jim, who, along with Huck Finn, embarks on a journey down the Mississippi River. Jim is fleeing slavery, while Huck is escaping his abusive father while remaining loyal to his friend.The narrative powerfully conveys the dehumanizing reality of slavery: the constant threat of being bought and sold, the relentless pursuit, the denial of identity and rights, arbitrary violence, sexual assault, and the forced separation of families. The book poignantly illustrates the racism of the south that stripped enslaved individuals of their humanity.Spoiler alert but not shared: A surprising plot twist added an unexpected layer to the story and the author’s message.While well-written and a relatively quick read, some sections, particularly the extended chase sequences, felt somewhat slow and simplistic.I will be more intrigued by Everett’s potential sequel to James. If written, it will be fascinating to learn what becomes of Jim and his family during the Civil War and then Reconstruction. How does this educated former slave rebuild his life after escaping the South's oppressive system? Now free, what social barriers, prejudices, and hardships do he and his family encounter as they strive for a better future for themselves and their descendants? This is an underrepresented narrative in much of today’s writing on this subject, and I believe Everett could tell it compellingly.This is the second book I've read by Percival Everett. His novel Erasure was a five-star masterpiece. James, while different, was surprising to me based on my experience with Erasure but James was certainly thought-provoking."You can see by my review, I was captured by Jim, the main character. What is to become of this man and his family?