Reviews tagging 'Rape'

James by Percival Everett

195 reviews

episcofam's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

leahgustafson's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is an absolute MASTERPIECE! I’m not sure there is any more I can say about this book that hasn’t already been said.
•
I did take the time to read Huck Finn shortly before James, and I’m really glad I did. The beginning of James follows the storyline of Huck Finn closely, and knowing some of these details, I was better able to understand and appreciate Jim’s perspective, thoughts, and actions. 
•
Eventually Percival Everett diverges from the classic story of Huck Finn. I found these choices to be genius and incredibly impactful. The use and discussion of language as a tool for survival is SO powerful!
•
This book portrays the realities and brutalities of slavery through Jim’s experiences, his thoughts/decision-making process, and the experiences of others he meets along his journey. This is, of course, contrasted with the ways Huck comprehends and moves through the world.  
•
James is an incredibly thought-provoking and important retelling.This book will easily be one of my Top 5 Books of 2024, if not THE best. I also believe it deserves a permanent spot in the literary canon. As a teacher, I couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be to teach these this alongside Huck Finn.
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

maryann02's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shoshin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Satisfying yet realistic end for James/Jim. I want to go back and read Huckleberry Finn again now, which I haven't read in years, to see how the two books compare. I think they mostly line up in major plot points, but I want to check. 

The depiction of slavery was very realistic in ways that a lot of people are still unaware of, yet still sanitized because a great deal (but not all) of the violence takes place "off-screen."
The horrific abuse that Sadie likely suffered at the breeding farm, even in only two weeks, wasn't touched on at all, for example. Despite it showing in one instance how exactly so many slaves who were white could be born, it was still a very male-centric viewpoint.
It did an excellent job wrestling with the nature of race in a system where race determines every element of your life. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rascali's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

princesskittyglitter's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lizalovereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

camib1010's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tea_time's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was my first Percival Everett book and I was absolutely blown away! This story was tragic, action-packed, funny, and redemptive all at the same time and it's hard to put into words how I felt about as I was reading it. I think it will have to sit with me for awhile. I will say that I believe it's a book that everyone needs to experience.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings