James (Pulitzer Prize Winner): A Novel
4.6 | 93,479 ratings
Price: 14.99
Last update: 01-04-2026
Product details
- ASIN : B0C8MGS6GR
- Publisher : Doubleday
- Accessibility :
- Publication date : March 19, 2024
- Language : English
- File size : 1.5 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 304 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-0385550376
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank:#133 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Literary Satire Fiction
- Fiction Satire
- Humorous Literary Fiction
- Customer Reviews:4.64.6 out of 5 stars(93,427)
Top reviews from the United States
- PowellAn exceptional workThe character is the perfect outgrowth of Mark Twain's creation. This writer takes us inside the head of a man who must pretend to be stupid though he reads the great books, he gives lessons to children on how to fool white people into thinking that they are dumb. Example. A slave could not warn a white of an onrushing fire without a slowed and brainless warning. To yell fire would offend slave masters. The journey of James is unexpected and rewarding for the reader.
- AccidentalDivaHistory Reimagined: The Story We Never Heard from JimI promised myself I wouldn’t dive into any more space horror stories, but “Julia,” Sandra Newman’s retelling of Orwell’s 1984 from Julia’s point of view, completely swept me up. Naturally, when I saw James hit the shelves—a reimagining of Huck Finn through Jim’s eyes—I couldn’t resist. I was curious, but also wary, because I knew this story would be as psychologically traumatic as I feared. And I wasn’t wrong.
Reading James is a deeply personal experience, especially as a Black woman, knowing that the only thing separating me from that nightmare of slavery is the year I was born. The narrative forced me to confront the reality that my great-grandparents and countless others who share my skin color endured this hellscape. It's more than just history—it's a stark reminder that they were treated as "it," less than animals, mere property. This is the kind of story that takes a physical toll on me every time I bear witness to it, but at the same time, it's necessary.
One of the things I found most powerful was how James fills in the emotional and psychological blanks left by Huckleberry Finn. In Everett’s hands, Jim is more than just a loyal protector or a man enslaved. The inner thoughts and eventual confession he shares go beyond the brutality of slavery, offering an explanation for why he’s so devoted to Huck. This complexity and depth made the retelling masterful—it's still settling with me, but I can already say it was absolutely worth the read.
Another aspect that haunted me was the subtle but consistent pattern Everett weaved through the story—everyone who helped Jim, except Huck, met a tragic end. It’s hard to tell if it was a coincidence or a chilling reflection of how dangerous it was to aid a Black person back then, but either way, it made clear just how easily Black lives were discarded. That’s a stark, painful truth to digest.
Percival Everett’s writing is as sharp and introspective as ever, breathing new life into a character who has long been a symbol but rarely fully understood. His retelling connects a lot of plot points and unspoken questions from Huckleberry Finn in ways that are satisfying, thought-provoking, and deeply unsettling. It's one of those stories that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. - P. BrothersSlow start but a wonderful readThe book started out slowly for me, but turned into an exciting adventure. Definitely a worthwhile read.
- Lynda L. BlevinsA tale of new lifePercival Everett takes the basic elements of the Huckleberry Finn story to tell Jim’s version of what happened. As is true in any eyewitness account, the story takes on its own life in the words of another person. In this story, the narrator brings to the tale the experiences of a slave and the reflections of a seasoned adult rather than the impressions of an adolescent teenager.
Throughout the tale, the friendship of Jim and Huck is told with grace and dignity. Everett crafts a captivating story through language that grips your heart and soul to tell a beautiful and heartfelt story. His characters dance on the page.
Everett used precise terms to share the harshness of Jim’s life. His courage in creating a life for himself is inspiring and brings an ache to create a life for oneself.
In the end, the questions Everett creates for the reader are, what has named you and what will you name. - Sean BozarthA Bold and Brilliant Reimagining of American LiteratureJames is one of the most inventive and emotionally resonant books I’ve read in a long time. Percival Everett takes the familiar world of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and flips it entirely by telling the story through the eyes of Jim—now James—a character who finally gets the depth, voice, and power he always deserved.
The writing is sharp, layered, and often darkly funny. Everett doesn’t just retell Twain’s classic—he uses it as a springboard to explore race, language, survival, and freedom in ways that feel modern but still rooted in the brutality of the 19th century. There’s also a surprising amount of suspense and grit in the narrative. James is clever and self-aware, and his inner life is painted with a richness that makes the story feel both epic and intimate.
This isn’t just a retelling—it’s a reframing. Whether or not you’ve read Twain’s original, James stands on its own as a powerful work of historical fiction and literary commentary. Highly recommended for readers who want to be challenged, moved, and blown away by great storytelling.