Reviews with content warning for Violence - James

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

James by Percival Everett

150 reviews

justapasser's review against another edition

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5.0

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patlo's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

FANTASTIC book. This will be a classic, and it's a deep, mature complement as well as retelling of the story of Huck Finn.

Told from the perspective of Jim, the slave in Huck's story, this is a powerful illustration and takedown of pre-Civil War slavery with heavy doses of philosophy and ethics and sociology.

This book should be read and discussed in high school and college lit programs. Highly recommend to every one as a real eye-opener.

I also loved reading this via audiobook.

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carojust's review against another edition

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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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rkibler24's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring tense 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 was a wonderful retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of James (We know him as Jim). The narrator for the audio version was fantastic. I listened mostly in the car and never wanted to get to my destination! This is a difficult book to read on account of all the details about the treatment of slaves, however, it is a masterpiece of storytelling and a book everyone should read!

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alyssatuininga's review against another edition

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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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bendercath's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow. What a tour de force. This book has left me breathless. I have such a deep and incredible respect for Percival Everett. He deserves all and every accolade for this masterpiece. Beautiful, disturbing, heartbreaking, inspirational ... all of that. I will never forget James. Thank you, Mr. Everett.

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