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lizziesz's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.75
I liked it overall, but a couple things stop me from giving it a higher rating. There is a lack of female characters, beyond characters that appear simply to get raped. I'm not sure the code switching resonated with me so much - Jim shouldn't have to be portrayed as highly intelligent to be worthy of basic respect, etc. I wish I had read Huck Finn more recently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
craftyanty's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
You know when someone is so good at what they do they just stand head and shoulders above the others? It's a level very few will reach though so many will spend their lives striving to come close. When you see that person in action, it feels like that person was just BORN to do the thing. Well, Percival Everett is that writer. This novel goes far beyond being a really good book. It is truly a work of art. There is so much nuance and depth to Everett's writing, but he manages to express it in a way that maintains a readability that all readers can enjoy. This is the kind of book one can reread many times over the course of a lifetime, finding something new to connect to each time. It deserves all the accolades it is receiving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Rape, and Slavery
mmartinko11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
seshat59's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“After being cruel, the most notable white attribute was gullibility.”
James is every bit as profound and excellent as it is lauded in its blurb. While I haven’t read the original Mark Twain Huck Finn story (an oversight to be sure), I feel like I got all the best parts with none of the systemic, historic racism—with Everett’s unique spin on the story as well.
James is every bit as profound and excellent as it is lauded in its blurb. While I haven’t read the original Mark Twain Huck Finn story (an oversight to be sure), I feel like I got all the best parts with none of the systemic, historic racism—with Everett’s unique spin on the story as well.
In James, we follow the perspective of Mark Twain’s “Big Jim”—really, James as he makes the choice to run away rather than be sold from his family. He reconnoiters with Huck when Huck fakes his own death at the same time (which is of course not auspicious at all to coincide with James’s runaway attempt). What follows is a journey along the upper Mississippi with and without Huck as James has his own adventures as a runaway, formerly enslaved person who only wants freedom for himself as well as his wife and daughter that he left behind.
The online, pathetic debate about books not being political is only asserted by the most idiotic of people. Anyone who reads this and does not see the oh-so-timely and prescient social commentary is delusional. At this unique time in American history, I found this helped me manage my grief, if only to commiserate with James’ bleak and appropriate estimation of white people.
This, again, was an excellent novel: complex and rife with analogies and metaphors. (I didn’t even address James’ internal debate with hypocritical Enlightenment philosophers!). All the stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
kassandrik's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: War
mollylovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and War
andrewkerndc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Moderate: Rape
sandro_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
I only have a passing memory of Huckleberry Finn which I wish I had reread prior to James to better see how they interconnect.
James deserves the praise heaped upon it. It’s just so clever in the way it spins a different take on the old South through familiar characters and how much of our history still reverberates today.
James deserves the praise heaped upon it. It’s just so clever in the way it spins a different take on the old South through familiar characters and how much of our history still reverberates today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Slavery, and Murder
keeperlitbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Trafficking
kshertz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What a concept. Jim is actually James from Huck Finn and knows all about how to survive in this time of idiocy. The author’s conversation around society and their reverence of Huck Finn is evident. It’s smart, funny and serious all at the same time. I can’t say you enjoy reading it, but it deeply impacts you if you let it. I love the social commentary. An author who says the punchline before you even finish thinking of a possible joke. If Huck Finn is a book that has any relevance to you, it’s a must read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism