Reviews with content warning for Slavery - James

I found this a worthy reframing of Twain's story with much-needed balance and stakes, or perhaps, an emphasis on what was always at stake. What makes a White boy's rip-roaring adventure is in turn a life-or-death trial for James, with odds heavily weighted towards death. Death because any crime that occurs near him is presumed his fault, death because he is a runaway slave, and death simply because he is not allowed free movement over the land. James leans hard into the sort of racial horror/thriller genre of books like Lovecraft Country and movies like 'Get Out', though without any elements of fantasy. The very real threat of violence within a universally unjust system grounds the suspense.

It's been almost twenty years (💀) since I've read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and I remembered little of the original story. I don't know if reading it beforehand (or sometime now afterwards) would add to my experience of this novel. It's hard to imagine buying into some aspects of that story now, knowing this one. Even though I wouldn't consider a child guilty in the same way I would a slaveholding adult, it's hard to hold space for Huck's fun and adventure amidst the danger for James of either re-enslavement or execution. Certainly, even within a slaveholding society, there were pockets of joy and celebration, as it's the nature of the human spirit to create those pockets under most conditions. But James' ultimate aim in this story, the pursuit of freedom he grapples for both physically and philosophically, demonstrates the superseding value and centrality of freedom both inherent in all human beings and essential to our souls.

Content Warnings

michelle_harris's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0

Content Warnings

amberlfaris's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

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