James

A Novel

By: Percival Everett

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR FOR 2024 BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view

"Genius"—The Atlantic • "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune • "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe • "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times

When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about 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. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

While many narrative set pieces of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.

Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a “literary icon” (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

©2024 Percival Everett (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR BY TIME, NPR, THE SEATTLE TIMES, ELLE, THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, AND OPRAH DAILY

“The cult favorite author’s electric new work. . . James completely reimagines one-half of Finn’s famous duo, elevating him from unwitting sidekick to reluctant hero. . . Everett brings that laser-sharp wit to James, creating a radical new American adventure.”—W Magazine

“James offers page-turning excitement but also off-kilter philosophical picaresque. . . Gripping, painful, funny, horrifying, this is multi-level entertainment, a consummate performance to the last."—The Guardian

“Blasted clean of Twain’s characterization, Jim emerges here as a man of great dignity, altruism, and intelligence. . . Clever, soulful, and full of righteous rage, [Jim’s] long-silenced voice resounds through this remarkable novel. Subversive and thrilling, James is destined to become a modern classic.”—Esquire

Justice

A brilliant retelling of the Adventures of Huck Finn from the perspective of James. These will from now on be read togther.

Shattering and Inspiring

Everett's novel is destined to be even more important than the original telling of this story.

Outstanding story and narration

The narrator is amazing. I listed to Heaven & Earth and bought this book after learning he’d be narrating it.

What I wasn’t expecting is for the story of Huck’s fin’s [slave] to be so captivating. Wow! It’s been 3 decades or more since I’ve read the story of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn and because of this book, I want to go back and read it.

A genius reimagining

A brilliant piece of storytelling, this novel powerfully upends a classic of American literature. Readers will be left longing for James to make his way through more of history.

Captivating

This read had my attention from beginning to the very end. If James becomes a screenplay, I'd be the first to see this theaters!

This book is brilliant!

I loved so many aspects of this book and many things stood out for me. The revelation of the strong bonds of the slave families despite being torn apart. The determination to find their sold family members. I loved the insight of intelligent slaves performing ignorance to appease their lesser intelligent suppressors. The relationship between Huck and Jim was lovely and I loved the twist. The performance was excellent! The storyline was brilliant! I believe it was better than the original storyline. I listened to this book twice!

Could not put it down.

Such a brilliant and humanizing portrait of James. Every word of this novel is a welcomed re-orientation of Black humanity, filled with humor and compassion.

verbiage

I liked the book very well written. liked the character Jim and his survival methods. loved the poems and the writing

great book

great story...I loved the twists and interesting ideas presented. the narration was perfect.
truly!

absolutely fantastic!

A painful and all too real story of slavery through the eyes of a victim.