Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

James by Percival Everett

196 reviews

hayreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective fast-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

Not something I'd usually pick up, but an enjoyable one. The n-word is said 68 times in this book. I'm sorry, but that's too many. The point could be delivered without it. The book was fast paced and I was always interested in where it was going.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

samannk's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism

Minor: Rape

heathercottledillon's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence

kruff_27's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Slavery, and Violence

my_a's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

The ending felt rushed - I was listening on audio and had to go back to check I hadn't accidentally run out of credits or skipped a section!

To me, this isn't the Booker Winner, but I know that mosy other readers disagree with me!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Slavery

lazers28's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Rape and War

Minor: Animal death and Alcohol

pix_ani's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

An amazing story told by an incredible narrator. This book will stay with me for years to come. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Torture, and Murder

carojust's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this book, and was immersed the entire way, rooting for James as the true hero in a world imagined by Mark Twain, perfected by Percival Everett. 

There's so much depth beyond the adventure, and so much that needed to be said from the other side of the story. Most haunting to me was the reality of being chained without the chain, always existing within context of White slavers, named by them, tortured by them, unable to take steps without them. The contrast between James and Huckleberry, a child who has more power than a grown man, was devastating. The symbolism of a pencil and paper, the sacrifice that comes with having a voice, made me emotional.

This is set to be a modern classic, and I hope you read this for the beautiful storytelling, and the focus on Black history and the evils of slavery. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

alyssatuininga's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow, this book. I had this suggested to me by many people and finally decided to prioritize it. This is a view through the lens of the character Jim from Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. This book is beautifully written, with a twist on two old stories.  James gives Jim a new life with dignity, intelligence, and a complex life. I loved the code-switching and secret teachings of the slave community. This book was thought-provoking, deeply moving and engaging. Percival Everett has a way with words and the characters are well written. HIghky recommend. You will never look at Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn the same.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Trafficking

horchata's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Wish this book had existed in the 90s so I could have read it immediately after I finished Huckleberry Finn. Another fantastic book from Everett. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery

Minor: Rape