James by Percival Everett

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 320 pages
Published: March 2024

Every so often, a book is released and suddenly, it’s everywhere—the talk of the literary world, the winner of major awards, the darling of critics and book clubs alike. That was James by Percival Everett in 2024. I bought my copy in 2025 and finally read it this year. Sorry, not sorry, but I don’t get the hype. Everett is often praised as an exceptional and prolific writer, and while that may be true, this novel simply didn’t work for me. 

Marketed as a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain through the eyes of Jim, who we learn prefers James, the concept immediately intrigued me. I expected a story that offered fuller representation and deeper humanity than Twain’s original. In preparation I reread Huckleberry Finn, which was a challenge due to the heavy dialect spoken by every character. So, when I began James, I appreciated the clear, more accessible dialogue.

But the story itself is not a retelling in the traditional sense. It felt as though Everett borrowed the characters then placed them in an entirely different plot and setting. The connection to Twain’s novel was tenuous at best, and that disconnect made it difficult for me to settle into the narrative. 

However, my biggest issue was the extreme brutality depicted throughout the book. While I understand the importance of acknowledging the horrors of enslavement, the graphic nature of these scenes felt excessive, at times exploitative, and not really necessary to move the plot forward. I was disappointed that a novel written by a person of color leaned so heavily into violence without adding meaningful depth to the story. I also found the major plot twist toward the end, and James actions after revealing it, to be a bit ridiculous and a bit of a stereotypical trope. Finally, every female character seemed to exist solely as a plot device, never fully developed or given emotional complexity. 

Many people say this book is humorous. I did not find it funny. I found it horrifying and disappointing, despite the glowing reviews and widespread acclaim. 

Recommendation: I often say here, not every book is for every one, and this one was definitely not for me. The concept is brilliant, but the execution just didn’t do it for me. Perhaps, I will try another of Everett’s books in the future. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Rating: 2 of 5 stars 

Pages: 327 pages
Published: January 1885

I grabbed a free electronic copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain from the Fable reading app as a bit of a homework assignment. I wanted to reread this novel as an adult and in preparation for my virtual book club's upcoming read of James by Percival Everett in the months to follow. Since James reimagines the story from Jim's perspective, I wanted to revisit the original text to gain a better appreciation of the modern retelling. It's been years, OK decades, since I read this book, and approaching it now as a more well-read and more critical reader gave me a very difference experience.

At just over 300 pages, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is not long. It follows the titular character, who is referred to as Huck, as he escapes his abusive (and possibly unstable) father and travels down the Mississippi River with Jim, an enslaved man seeking reunification with his family. On their journey, they meet con men, feuding families, and a series of misadventures. Many literary scholars consider this book the great American novel, praising Twain's use of an engaging plot and sharp satire meant to expose the hypocrisy and moral contradictions of the pre-Civil War era in the United States. 

Despite its critical and historical acclaim, I didn't fully enjoy it. The dialect, while intentional by the author, made for a very challenging read. I read the book in small doses - a couple of pages at a time - as I had to remain extremely focused to discern not only what Jim was saying (as a lot of readers have noted) but the speech patterns of Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and the other secondary characters. So, as I mentioned it's not a long book, but it certainly felt that way. Beyond the heavy, indistinguishable dialects, I struggled with the stereotypes. Jim is a main part of the story, yet he's frequently reduced to a caricature, often only being use as a plot device to move the story along. I felt he was very underdeveloped and his humanity was sacrificed for the ignorance and antics of Tom Sawyer, Aunt Sally and the like. Yes, the book was written "post-slavery" but still during a deeply unjust period in American history. And frankly, I just don't think Twain, as a white man in the late 1800s, was equipped to tell Jim's part of the story with the respect it deserved. 

No spoilers here, but after trudging through more than two-thirds of the book, the ending fell flat for me. The tonal shift, the reappearance of certain characters, and the way Jim's fate is handled did the whole adventure a disservice. I think there was a missed opportunity for deeper reflection and a more meaningful resolution. But again, reading this in 2026, maybe the author simply wasn't capable of delivering that in his time. 

Long story short: I didn't enjoy the book, but I am glad I read it. It's a classic for a reason, and I think reading it again will provide a richer experience when I pick up James later this year. 

Recommendation: On this blog, I often say, not every book is for everyone, and this is a prime example for me. Twain couldn't tell a Jim's story with proper representation because it wasn't one he lived or was even stood adjacent to. This makes me all the more excited to read Percival Everett's take. I have high hopes his perspective will be more inclusive and attuned to Jim's point of view. More on that later! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More