Book Review: James by Percival Everett

James by Percival Everett is In development as a feature film to be produced by Stephen Spielberg. James is an instant New York Times Bestseller and longlisted for the Booker Prize. A reimagining of Huckleberry Finn, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.

I enjoyed the narration by Dominic Hoffman. His voice is clear, and commanding. He also narrates for author James McBride, books such as Deacon King Kong and The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Wonderful job!

“Safe movement through the world depended on mastery of language, fluency.” - Chapter 2; page 21

The author appears to be correcting a wrong in this book by bringing awareness to the hate, racism that so consumed and consumes the views of hatred towards one or other races and religion. Everett says in chapter 2 that ‘…they enjoy the correction and thinking you’re stupid…’ and ‘Religion is just a controlling tool they employ and adhere to when convenient.’

If enough of them kill you, it’s not a crime, they’re innocent…

If you can write…you can tell your story… tell the story with your ears…Young George ( Chapter 15)

The Mississippi River, The Big Muddy, the Big River, Ol’ Man River, Old Blue, The Gathering of Waters. The river played a major role in this novel as James and Huckleberry traversed on and near the river that served as their beacon for freedom. Also, the symbolisms of books, a pencil, and a notebook had profound meaning to a man demanding respect and humanity amidst racism and stereotypes.

What an adventure this reimagining of the classic tale of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” published in 1885 by Mark Twain, which is the continuation of the classic of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" published in 1876. I have not read either novels in their entirety, but referenced a synopsis, summary of the stories prior to reading “James.”

The tragedies in this novel, even though it is fictional, it compares with the themes of factual, historical events. The overt racism, the violence and beliefs of the past and present of the dehumanizing of black Americans and dangers faced as a Black boy or man in the South and in America.

The bodies of the enslaved served as America's largest financial asset, as I read the novel, my mind went back to How the Word was passed by Clint Smith or The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs

The minstrel act, black faces on an already black man and doing the cakewalk in mockery the irony was reminiscent to a passage I read in The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel by ReShonda Tate’ Novel where she performed in a one woman act, whilst the audience, ignorant of what McDaniel was really saying. A mockery of the unjust system, made ‘Mammy’ a character and a characterization, a parody (Chapter 7). But, in James, and the era it would have been catastrophe to have the audience know that a black man was in attendance in the auditorium, so he had to be white under the makeup and look black to the audience for appearances. Wow!

The rising action begins when Huck and Jim encounter the King and the Duke claiming to be royalty that are really con men employing various scams, resulting in Huck coming to terms with what civilized society actually resembles. 

It was genius how every event interlocked with another character and connected the stories together. The secrets that were hidden and during a moment of decisions did the most shocking one come to light. The true essence and morality of this story to me, was the fear of a slave, a black man who didn’t conform to a white man, a slave masters expectations that he could read and write and speak in eloquent language. The fear that Jim, the slave didn’t care any more of his crimes.

This was my first read by Everett and I am stunned by his words and writing style. I definitely have plans to read The Trees that was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2022, as well as an award winning literary fiction titled Erasure that was adapted into the Oscar-nominated major motion picture, American Fiction in 2021.