'James' is a an outstanding new novel from Percival Everett, in which the writer applies many themes of his earlier work to this revisionist take on Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' told from the perspective of the enslaved Jim - or, as we learn his actual name is, James.

As in 'The Trees', Everett's Booker-shortlisted novel based on the lynching of Emmett Till, humour and horror exist side-by-side in this scathing work of satire. Everett's James is a far more intelligent character than Twain's Jim appears to be - but we learn that James, like other enslaved people, must cultivate a facade of ignorance. Unlike Twain's Jim, Everett's James is thus not taken in by the pranks that Huck plays on him, but knows that he must feign an often utterly implausible degree of naivety in order to confirm Huck's impressions of him. In fact, James is highly literate and a sophisticated philosophical thinker who engages in dream dialogues with figures such as Voltaire and Locke.

This theme is particularly reflected in their use of vernacular: Everett adapts the idea of code-switching so that in this novel, Black characters have to ensure that they speak with 'the correct incorrect grammar' when white people are around: 'White folks expect us to sound a certain way, and it can only help if we don't disappoint them', James explains. Likewise, Everett suggests that 'the more you talk about God and Jesus and heaven and hell, the better they feel [...] and the better they feel, the safer we are.' Despite the novel's Civil War-era setting, Everett's concerns as ever feel strikingly contemporary, for instance mirroring his novel 'Erasure' and the film adaptation 'American Fiction' in which the Black protagonist's novels are accused of not being "black enough".

The novel offers a horrifying indictment of the evils of slavery, with many harrowing cruelties presented including murder, rape and torture. James' response to this will again resonate with readers today thinking about the injustices Black people continue to face. At one point, James remarks 'I was as much scared as angry, but where does a slave put anger? We could be angry with one another 'we were human. But the real source of our rage had to go without address, swallowed, repressed.' And when describing the lynching of another enslaved person, a character remarks, 'The worst part was that the judge told the grand jury that it was an act of a multitude and so they couldn't recommend any indictments. So, if enough people do it, it's not a crime.'

Everett's plot follows the shape of Twain's, recounting some of the same adventures from a different perspective, and including new ones where James and Huck's paths separate, as well as a number of powerful twists towards the novel's conclusion. It is thus a gripping read. What will stay with me above all, however, is the voice that Everett creates for James, that of 'a man who is cognizant of his world, a man who has a family, who loves a family, who has been torn from his family, a man who can read and write, a man who will not let his story be self-related, but self-written.'

This is surely one of the most important novels to be published this year. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

This was quite uncomfortable reading, as it should be. Brutal in places but also wonderful. And yes, that does make sense. It is a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn but told from the perspective of James/Jim the slave. Now, I haven't actually read the original book but I am familiar with the basics of the story and, from my limited point of view, the two marry up together well. The original is used basically as a framework onto which Everett weaves the story of James. How he, with Huck, fled when he was going to be sold, how they travelled together and apart. How Huck learned some hard hitting truths, along with the reader!
Oh and there are NO punches pulled. It's brutal and quite graphic in places. But then there's no soft soaping this era. No brushing under the carpet. And that is exactly how it should be. Whitewashing is called that for a reason... One of the things that I found fascinating - if that's the right word - was the way that James' diction changed depending on who he was talking to. And actually, not just that, his whole demeanour too. Adapt to survive... And the rules the slave had to follow to keep in with the white folk, to avoid the beatings... and worse...
We also segue into the whole philosophy around slavery with James' "chats" with philosophers during his dreams... But I will leave the bones of that for you to discover.
All in all, not my usual read but a book that touched me, one that will stay with me for a while, and one that I really hope will fly come publication day so that others can share in it...
This is my first book by this author but, on the back of it, and having read more about him, it most definitely won't be my last... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This was not my usual choice of genre but having enjoyed the Adventures of Tom Sawyer as a child my curiosity was piqued. I am so glad I took the chance as this book with its abominable descriptions of racism and slavery that were regarded as absolutely normal in that dark era but then in its delightful observations, characters and narrative a beautiful story evolved that gave hope. I loved the relationship between James and Huck and of the different adventures and dangers they encountered along the way. The ‘slave speak’ was at times hilarious, that is once I understood it. This book was well written, never boring and had so much that was thought provoking while being a most memorable and entertaining read.

James by Percival Everett to me to completely opposite poles of emotion and knocked the wind out of me. "That was a flipping good book" I said aloud, earning a look of disdain from one of the cats who was disturbed from their slumber

Why am I using such an anecdote? Because if I laugh out loud, make emotional vocalisations and proclaim my opinion to the degree that the herd takes notice, then yes, it is an incredibly good book

James deserves to be a global bestseller. If you read Huckleberry Finn as a child, you will want to read this book, if you are interested in classic literature, you will want to read this book, if you draw breath, you will want to read this book. It's notjust a retelling, or a reimagining, it is an entire regeneration, reworking, revitalising for our times. It blew my everfluffing mind

To tell the tale from the perspective of Jim is absolutely genius and I will say no more as this book is more than capable of speaking for itself. This is a keeper, a literary great

Thank you to Pan Macmillan | Mantle and the awesome author Percival Everett for this epic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This book is absolutely fantastic, and I have no doubt that it will be amongst my favourite reads of the year. Percival Everett is a very skilled writer, who draws the reader into his books and has you questioning everything you thought you knew.

The book is a retelling of Huckleberry Finn, told from the perspective of Jim the slave and what a character Jim is. Everett breathes life into the character, he is fully imagined and we see that Jim is able to play the role of a slave, hiding his intelligence to ensure that he doesn’t upset his white owners. We see the hopes dreams and desires of Jim, and are reminded, if a reminder was needed, of the horrors of slavery and how slaves were dehumanised.

The book is beautifully written, it is compelling and I read it in just two sittings, because I was desperate to know if Jim managed to achieve freedom.

Everett is a masterful writer and here he has created a book that makes the reader consider the horrors of slavery and racism, the extent of human cruelty, and juxtaposes this with the strength of love and friendship and the resilience of the human spirit, all written in Everett’s beautiful, often satirical, prose.

I would highly recommend this book, I hope it receives the accolades it deserves.

Also there is no need to read Huckleberry Finn to enjoy this masterpience.

This is the extraordinary alternative story-telling from Jim's (James') perspective on what happened when he and Huckleberry Finn got away from Missouri as two runaways, but James being a slave, always dependent on the young white boy's mercy and his wherewithall.

The writing is absolutely brilliant; it emulates Twain, but it adds so much to it, I feel that it truly enhances the original adventure story. There is plenty of black (no pun intended) humour, as well as some clever, witty remarks that had me chuckle loudly to myself while reading this. Overall, my heart sank almost any time a white person showed up (notwithstanding Huck and Norman, but hey.....), and as many times before I asked myself what level of ignorance allows people to develop a superiority complex leading to tyranny for centuries. Disgusting. The anger that Everett via James is channelling, is palpable and very much justified.

I am so grateful for this ARC courtey of the publisher's and cannot wait to recommend this to anyone around me come publishing day this week.

As a fan of Percival Everett's writing, I was not disappointed. This reimagining of Twain's controversial original is somehow a rolicking adventure story with a little righteous revenge mixed in, a devastating indictment of being human in a world that is trying to deny your humanity at every time, and a hilarious and biting satire, as 'Jim' performs the blackness expected of him in order to survive whilst conversing with philosophers in his sleep. A very easy recommend for me.

In "James," Percival Everett retells "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" through the eyes and words of Jim. Everett gives us a scholarly James who constantly has to code switch between forced submissiveness and his own philosophically astute ruminations. As modern readers, we are reminded of how often black men and women still have to adjust their speech and tone based on the contexts of their interactions with white society. For James, it's a matter of survival; he must always be the submissive slave who doesn't look directly at whites, and who must always allow the white folk to feel smarter . By focusing on the code-switching aspect of James's life, Everett successfully retells Twain's novel in a way that honours the original while allowing a new Jim/James to come forward.

James must be on guard because the merest slip of the tongue will put him in danger, and there are moments within this novel where James does make verbal slips. The whites are outraged that he can speak so much better than they can. They thrive on feeling superior to the slaves, and these realistic characters see slaves as playthings and property. Everett highlights this when James encounters a white singing troupe who dress up in black face and makeup to sing for a white audience. These troupe members reenact a cake walk for the white viewers because it allows the spectators to feel comforted by an activity originally created to mock white behaviour.

Everett underscores how Jim the slave has few options, and he must always shape shift to meet the demands of whatever cruelty he encounters. He’s always on the verge of being killed or returned to be killed. There’s not a second where he can feel at ease. If James does try to relax, another moment of danger will descend upon him. There are hideous moments of violence, but Everett shows readers what a slave had to endure. He does not hide from the emotional and physical violence inflicted upon slaves.

Percival Everett’s “James” is a revelation. The novel speak to the horrific history of slavery and the erasure of black voices from the arts and the history books. Everett refuses to allow these voices to be curated, edited and silenced.

James is a brilliant re-telling of Huckleberry Finn from the slave Jim's point of view. Jim leads a double life, one as James, a husband and father, the other pretending to be an ignorant and credulous slave Jim for the benefit of white people.

The story mainly follows the plot of Mark Twain's novel, but with some brilliant additions and changes by Everett.

I absolutely loved it and hope it wins all the awards.

Another masterpiece from Percival Everett, his books get better and better. While I enjoyed this novel very much, I suspect I may have got more from it had I read Huckleberry Finn. I may go back to it now, as many of us went back to David Copperfield after Demon Copperhead. This is a beautiful way to revisit the classics, which may otherwise get less of a modern audience.

The focus on a minor character from the original is a new angle, and it works so well in the hands of an expert such as Everett.
Highly recommended

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC

I might be biased, but Percival Everett can do no wrong. I have never read Huck Finn (I now will) but this book was a brutal, yet refreshing 'retelling' of a story that has been in the peripheries of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always heard of Huck, but never of James. This book sets that record straight. The writing is beautiful and I am now very curious to see how it will influence my reading of Huck Finn. Just a really good book!

Percival Everett has - somehow - managed to bring Mark Twain's voice back to life in this incredible book. The language and tone are perfect and the narrative engaging as well as informative.

The story follows Jim and Huckleberry Finn on a journey along the Mississippi, imagining what might have happened when Huck pretended to be dead in the original story. From stowing away on a steamship, singing in a minstrel show and making some questionable choices regarding freedoms, the underlying message in Everett's book is clear - love DOES conquer all. Love of family, love of freedom and love of self drive the plot forward in the most satisfying way as we slowly, but surely, become invested in the outcome of the adventure. Some of the most memorable images in the novel are those of soldiers marching to fight in the Civil War and the descriptions of the great river that is the backbone to the tale.

If you liked Brook's 'March' then this is the book for you. If you love Twain run!!

Percival Everett’s “James” takes a well-worn American tale, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and flips it for a fresh and thought-provoking perspective. While the opening might feel slow, setting the stage for the narrative shift, Everett quickly rewards patience with a powerful reversal.

Instead of Huck Finn guiding the reader, we see the iconic journey down the Mississippi through the eyes of Jim, the enslaved man Huck befriends. This shift is more than just a change in perspective; it’s a dismantling of stereotypes and a powerful act of giving voice to the silenced. Everett’s James is a complex and compelling character, his intelligence and humanity shining through in stark contrast to the dehumanizing realities of slavery.

The novel tackles race and the experience of slavery head-on, offering unflinching honesty without sacrificing readability. Everett draws you into James’s world with a sharp wit that even allows for moments of humor amidst the harsh realities.

While the ending left me wanting more closure, it arguably reflects the uncertain nature of freedom for enslaved people in that era. “James” may not provide all the answers, but it certainly sparks a firestorm of questions, prompting readers to re-examine a classic story and the historical context it represents.

In conclusion, “James” is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good retelling, a powerful voice, and a thought-provoking exploration of race and history. Though the start might be slow and the ending abrupt, the journey in between is more than worth taking.

Having not read the original books and solely diving into this remake, I was able to take in James' story first. Perhaps this influences my review, with me having missed intricacies that others would noticed. But regardless, this book is another example of why Everett remains one of my favourite authors.
Exploring slavery, cruelty and racism, he manages to keep humanity central. To find beauty in the bleak backdrop of human history and remind us that these stories are all unique and personal to each person who experienced the horrors of being owned, sold and used like cattle. The first half of the book was slow, written simply and observing the world in a matter of fact way. Around half way through it begins to develop as do the characters and their experiences. This is likely a stylistic choice, mirroring the transitional experiences of Jim. But it did make for a tough beginning of the book and saw me read the book a lot slower than I typically would have.
Overall, I'd still recommend this book, along with any other book by Percival Everett.

A reimagined version of Huckleberry Finn, but from the perspective of enslaved Jim.

Jim overhears he is about to be sold, so in order to protect himself, he runs away to a nearby island. It is there that Huckleberry finds him. Huckleberry has staged his own death in order to disappear. Hick a young white boy and Jim an adult black male - Jim soon realises that because he is missing and now so is Huckleberry; it is likely he will be the one who is deemed guilty of his murder.
They both go on the run together, with a plan of returning to their hometown with ideals of buying Jim’s wife and daughter Sadie and Lizzie from their hosts, and they can live in a slave-free state.

Going on the run comes with difficulties, Jim a wanted fugitive needs to find a way to get enough money, Huck wants to help his friend do exactly that. However, as no black men can be seen without an owner; Jim is bought and sold through the slave trade. All the while Huck trying to protect Jim, and Jim trying to protect Huck.

I’ve never read a Percival Everett book before, but I bought a copy of The Trees for a relative and they raved about it, so when the chance came up to read this I jumped at it.
Unfortunately i hadn’t read Huckleberry Finn before, so I had to do a quick read before starting this so I had a bit of context.

This story is not my usual go to, but I’m so glad I read it. It’s a provocative, emotive adventure story - which has a poignant message to us all about racism, friendship and simple humanity. A lot of this book saddened me, it’s set in America in the 1800’s when black slavery was rife and the treatment that they endured is incomprehensible. However, this is also a story about an unlikely friendship, unlikely because of a difference in skin colour, a difference in ages; but a friendship is formed on mutual respect, trust, loyalty and overall that it’s the person within that matters.

This brilliantly written story, has taught me so much more than America’s shameful history, even though the story is fiction - within it are truths that are not.

I implore all of you to read this book. It’s a fantastic read, but it’s also so much more than a story. I’m now off to read all Percival Everett’s other books

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC - in return for my honest review

I read Huckleberry Finn years ago and it always stayed in my mind, James is a re telling told by Jim . You don’t need to have read Huckleberry Finn to enjoy this novel , it is a standalone novel. I thought that this was a brilliant wonderful read which I devoured. It is brutal in parts and tough to read in places. It also so witty and tender in places. We go on an adventure with Huck and Jim meeting an array of characters along the way , whilst Jim is trying to find his wife and daughter. The relationship between the two of them is so moving and the innocence of childhood comes through in Huck’s character. The role of a slave is described so well and the brutal treatment is upsetting to read., it made me so angry. This so far is my book of the year . It will stay with me and I highly recommend it .

I went into this thinking it was just going to be a modern retelling. Wrong! Absolutely brilliant, what an amazing character James is, never rooted for someone so much

This incredible, gut-wrenching, beautiful, heartbreaking novel is a twist on the classic children’s tale “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, as told from the perspective of the enslaved man Jim. Having not read Huck Finn for at least a couple of decades, I wondered whether the gaps in my knowledge would hamper my reading of this version, but this is so, SO much more than a “retelling”.

I don’t feel able to put into words how special this book is, and would just encourage anyone and everyone to read it. The topic is obviously haunting and there are multiple deeply barbaric scenes, but the writing is also exquisite and hopeful and so very relevant. It is most definitely one that will stay with me for a long time.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Oh, my poor heart.

I had no idea that I would end up loving these 2 characters so much. Since it's been so long since I read the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I had to do a quick review before I let myself dive head first into James. And wow, I can't believe how incredible this book is, how perfectly it painted the setting and the characters surrounding Jim and Huck are. I wanted to reach through the pages and dole out hugs and slaps the whole time!!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this. Percival Everett is a frickin genius!!

This was such an intense, well written perspective of Huckleberry Finn.

I don't like to call these novels reimaginings, the story is just opened up, a continuation, and I'm so glad Everett took a chance on expanding Twain's novel. The tension of the subject is clear to any reader, but Everett doesn't falter on the fine line, they really expand and envelop you into the story. There's humour, humanity, and retribution, and it's one I'm looking forward to placing in everyone's hands.