Reviews

James by Percival Everett

astrofaux's review

adventurous challenging emotional sad 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

4.75

tommyb33's review

dark medium-paced

2.0

marycameronvivio's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

greenhej's review

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

5.0

leighkp's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny 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

jacksontibet's review

adventurous dark funny hopeful tense fast-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

4.25

Strong and efficient. Been too long since I've read Huck Finn to know how and where it diverges from the original but all I need is this tale of slave liberation. The ending was thirst satiated, dynamic, dynamite.

jason461's review

emotional reflective tense 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? No

5.0

evetoi's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Slavery

tvislife's review

4.0

Brilliant and fast-paced. This book follows the slave Jim, from the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and tells an imagining of his story throughout that book. 

I am not someone that typically enjoys literary fiction or a lot of classical-leaning literature, but I loved this. I was honestly shocked at how fast I flew through this book, I thought I’d have to force myself to finish. Everett has a fast-paced and witty tone, and the book never feels slow or boring. 

I loved the idea of Jim, and all slaves, code switching to speak to the whites, and I thought it was done very very well. I’ve seen some complaints about how that seemed “ridiculous” that Jim was seen as simple-minded, while quoting Voltaire and teaching philosophy to his family / other slaves. To that, I’ll just once again say that I think Everett is brilliant. It didn’t have to be “realistic”, it just showed the deep humanity and the capability of deep, rational thought that James had as a human being, regardless of his status as a slave. I really enjoyed this! 

melc's review against another edition

I'm afraid this book led me into a bit of a reading slump and I had to dnf at 50%. I don't really know what all the hype is about this book. I enjoyed The Trees and felt it was innovative and interesting. However, this just felt superficial and lacked depth for me. I felt the insights into the lives of the slaves were a bit trite and not really nuanced or inventive. The prose style was too simplistic and read like a children's book which I know is what this book is based on but it's surely for an adult audience - so write for adults! 
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.