James

It’s a great concept and handled so well. This book dances around what’s hidden beneath the surface of Huckleberry Finn - the humanity and dehumanization of black Americans.

It’s still an adventure story and it moves fast and is an easy read, but delivers a look under the surface of every possible interaction. Some of it felt very magical and there’s a scene in an engine room that feels like the best parts of Catch-22.

Very happy for all the recommendations that led me to this book.

This is such a fast fun read of great depth

Amazing and harrowing. I haven't read Huckleberry Finn since I was a kid, and I honestly appreciated not having re-read it before jumping into Everett's reclamation. There is so much to talk about here on its own. From the commentary on marginalized language practices, the abominable history of slavery, to the subtle indication that the character James wrote the the actual book held by the reader. I strongly recommend this one.

Initially I wanted to describe this book as a rollercoaster but rollercoasters go up as well. This book is better described as a bungy jump into a coalmine. It starts gloomy and dives deeper and deeper into darkness. It really drives home the reality of slavery and how dehumanizing it is. The idea that slavery was "for some not that bad" is really not entertained here. Nor should it be. As Jim, the main character says: "The difference between a good and a bad master is how many strokes from the whip you get." The book draws some parallels between slavery and the situations current African Americans find themselves in. It shows how we got from then to now, as it were. It is a thrilling story with interesting character arcs. If you're white, like me, it is a bit uncomfortable too, and I like that.

A retelling, or perhaps a reimagining rather, of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man that joins Huck for a portion of his adventure.

I really enjoyed this. The book is well-written, and James, in particular, is an agonisingly well-drawn character. The final lines gave me the good kind of chills. Read it, it's very good.

4.5 stars. It's a powerful reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim's perspective. Although it's harrowing and at times brutal, somehow there is a fair amount of humor. There are great observations about language and also navigating the world of white people. It really highlights the outrageousness of white supremacy.

Wow amazing reimagining of a classic. The writing, characters, story are all solid. The take away profound and powerful. I am so happy we moved past that time period where a lot of those awful stereotypes are debunked and blacks are no longer seen as valuable yet disposable vessels for labor (well not as bad, we still have the prison pipeline). While America has further to go we are making our way.

Some novels grab you immediately and refuse to let you go until you have read through to the last page. James is such a novel. It's brilliant, astonishing, and packs an emotional wallop. I haven't read Huckleberry Finn in over 30 years, so I have no idea how closely Everett tracked to that book -- but it is irrelevant. As a sharp, funny, heartbreaking examination of slavery and life in nineteenth century America, James stands on its own, whether you have read Huckleberry Finn or not.

This book should honestly be required reading for any school students that read Huck Finn. A bit dark at times due to the brutal nature of slavery, but this is one of my favorite books of the past few years.

Everett takes Huckleberry Finn, tells it from the point of view of Jim and makes it new. Fittingly, he combines a wild adventure story and sharp social commentary and does so to great effect. Best book I’ve read in a while.

Brilliant riff on Huckleberry Finn; in Twain’s style but recast to center Jim’s heroism