A necessary look into the life of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn‘s Jim, or James, told with Percival Everett’s unflinching, poetic, and entertaining prose. The story gives insight into the titular character’s perspective while also serving as a damning look at the deep-seated racial injustices of slavery and the way marginalized characters are portrayed in American fiction. The pages fly by, leading to a triumphant finale that is as impactful as anything I’ve read in years.
James James by Percival Everett, (List Price: $28, Doubleday, 9780385550369, March 2024)
Reviewed by James Harrod, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in Asheville, North Carolina