James

The story was powerful and an emotional, visceral read at times but it was amazing. I love Percival Everett's work, but this could be my favorite. I love, love, love the idea of telling The Huck Finn story from James' point of view.

James is a brilliant retelling and reimagining of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that is told from the point of view of Jim rather than Huck. Since the plot is already set by Mark Twain's novel, Percival Everett starts his novel out on footing that is familiar to us, featuring a boy and a man and their adventures on the mighty Mississippi River. The point of view has changed. We're seeing the world through the eyes of an enslaved man rather than an All American boy. As with Twain's version, there are times when Jim and Huck get… show more.

I have been on a Percival Everett tear ever since I saw "American Fiction." He is deservedly a cult leader. "Erasure," on which the movie is based, is also really worth reading.

I’d seen the movie American Fiction around the same time I read James and thought it interesting that similar ironic humor about the ‘Black experience’ appeared in both. While looking up Everett’s biography, I discovered his 2001 book, Erasure, was used for the film adaptation. The author’s sarcasm, storytelling talent, and wit shine through every version of his work. A recent NPR book reviewer said that Historical Fiction is an up-and-coming genre. Culturally we know that the educational narratives from our schools was lacking. For those motivated to learn, there’s a craving to hear from authors like Percival Everett who… show more.