Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - James

HIGHLY recommend the audio as the narrator (Dominic Hoffman) really brings this one to life! I hadn't read Huck Finn since high school but a lot of it came back to me as I listened to this and actually think that it was good I didn't do a reread right before listening to this one. I feel like the author complemented Huck's half of the story so well. He updated the story/made it more relevant for our current time, yet didn't take anything away from the time period this was set in. Written beautifully as an oral telling. I hope that if Huck Finn is still being taught in schools then I sure hope that James is taught right along with it!

Content Warnings

krandelzhofer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

_chaoticbooknook's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

what a wry, satirical, yet very sobering retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the POV of Jim (or James, as he refers to himself as in the book). it was engaging and well-paced - i kept picking it up and wanting to know what happened next. Everett’s racial insights were particularly astute and gutting. overall, it’s a really great read, but i feel like i’m missing something because it feels like others are loving it so much more than me? it might be sky high expectations?

what i loved most about this book was how well it subverts stereotypes while still staying true to the spirit of the retelling. i’m pretty in awe at Everett’s writing and plotting. and the commentary! impeccable and cutting, while providing even more food for thought in the importance of being able to tell one’s story. i viscerally felt the emotions James was feeling at every turn, from the fear and suspicion to the confusion to the numbness and resignation. and to do so so precisely - Everett’s writing is top notch.

i totally understand the accolades and love for this book. while i am impressed, i wonder if i went into this book with too high expectations. or perhaps i’m missing the love because i haven’t read Huckleberry Finn - maybe it would hit a bit harder if i had?

still - i highly recommend this read for anyone looking for masterful writing, a great retelling, and overall engaging story. just temper expectations a bit, but don’t skip on this book!

Content Warnings