James by Percival Everett

Beloved characters from iconic classic books should never be touched; I have never been fond of reimagining them.

There has not been a previous instance when I enjoyed this – not March by Ann Patchett or Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, both incredible literary award-winning authors, yet I believe the characters should be left as their makers intended.

But Percival Everett brings forward a new voice from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and challenges readers to experience this story from an incredibly challenging and crucial point of view.

Jim may be a familiar character to those who have read Twain’s classic, but James shares his experiences and psyche in a significant way that is sure to give you plenty to think about, even for those who have not read the source material.

Everett shows us the psychological cost of being a man in your mind while your body is, in law, owned by somebody else; there are Django Unchained moments of revenge and retribution yet to come.

Enslaved Jim overhears that he is to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever.

He decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan.

Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town.

Jim lived his entire life as a slave but he is far from the stereotype he is forced to portray.

He is intelligent, perceptive and it is through this lens that readers glimpse the devastatingly inhumane, unjust and ironic life of a slave.

It will enthral you, sicken you, make you cry, laugh, root for Jim and make you wonder if we ever really gotten over the shackles of slavery.

Twain’s Jim is simple and childlike as opposed to Everett’s James being a sarcastic erudite; is there too much distance between the two?

Many narrative set pieces of Huckleberry Finn remain in place.

With a writing style that is matter-of-fact and the tone is blunt, Everett is not the kind of writer to sketch out grand emotional scenes.

There are moments in the book that are sad, heartbreaking and tragic, but no elongated enthusiastic crescendos that are often used by writers.

I was sceptical about reading Everett’s James, even though it was nominated for the Pulitzer.

But this was heart-wrenching, brutally honest, brilliantly crafted and immersive with superb characterisation and emotional depth.

James is a memorable read.

Questions:

In what ways does the author portray code-switching as an act of irony?

Discuss the importance of Jim renaming himself James.

Discuss the dynamic between James and Huck.

How is religion portrayed in James? Do you believe this perspective is justified?

If you have time listen to Percival Everett: Why I rewrote Huckleberry Finn to give slave Jim a voice. www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68762352

Other reads you might enjoy if you like this book are Kindred by Octavia Butler, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and Julia by Sandra Newman.

Julie Chessman