James

A Novel

By: Percival Everett

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE • KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view

In development as a feature film to be produced by Steven Spielberg • A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times Book Review, LA Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Economist, TIME, and more.

"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 cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

©2024 Percival Everett (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND THE KIRKUS PRIZE FOR FICTION | BARNES & NOBLE'S 2024 BOOK OF THE YEAR

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST, THE NEW YORKER, NPR, THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, THE ECONOMIST, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, AND VANITY FAIR, AMONG OTHERS...

“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

It's perfect

'James' is phenomenal. Engrossing and seamlessly integrated into the original storyline. Listening to Dominic Hoffman tell it has been wonderful. His voice is beautiful with perfect inflection and just the right amount of intonation. I'm also enjoying the fact that the 'Huck' version I've listened to (I have the book on CD) was narrated by Garrison Keillor and their voices are a nice complement to each other.

I love this book. I really, truly love it. I love it similarly to my love of 'Huck Finn', they're conjoined, for me; one will no longer exist without the other. Percival Everett has captured Mark Twain's concept so beautifully and told what couldn't have been told with utter perfection. 'James' has added that depth hinted at in 'Huck' and expanded and filled in the parts we couldn't have seen through Huck's eyes or with Twain writing, perfectly completing the circle. It's not an easy story, it never flinches and Everett isn't telling a feel-good adventure tale. It's filled with love and humanity, growth, pain and joy and we, as readers are given a front row seat to every aspect of what that means.

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes. Now that it's done, I'm going to miss it. I don't think I could possibly recommend something with more gusto.

'James' is absolutely perfect and it's now one of my favorite stories of all time.

Remarkable

This book will win all the 2024 awards. Listen to it now. You won’t regret it.

Humor

I liked how James could transform from being “ignorant “ to his real self which was intelligent.

Huckelberry Finn: Brilliantly Reimagined and Beautifully Narrated

The story is, at first, familiar, but soon takes the reader on an unexpected and enlightening adventure.
James is a thought-provoking and compelling work which I wholeheartedly recommend. Armed with new insight, I'm inspired to re-read Mark Twain's original. Both books, presented together, could be part of an American history/literature curriculum.

Excellent

Excellent companion piece to the adventures of huckleberry finn. Well told story and well performed!

A Cliffhanger Ending!

I loved this story. The character development, the plot that told the story of Jim, the relationship of Jim and Hick. What threw me for a loop was the ending! Is there a sequel coming? I was surprised the book just ended on me. I would have loved to know more!

Poignant

Superior narration and a novel written with enviable craftwork. I am delighted to have both read and listened to James.

Great intertwining with Huckleberry

It is a great book, it started really well but I think the end became a bit too unbelievable. I love the genuine affection between Jim and Huckleberry … beautiful story in the middle of so much pain.

Outstanding

Outstanding. 5 stars for James by Percival Everett. This is a reimagining of Huck Finn, but you do not have to know anything about Huckleberry Finn to read it and appreciate it to the fullest. It's also a fast read with immediately interesting characters who become endeared to the reader early on as well as a story that clips right along at a fast pace. I flew through this book. I loved the characters of James and Huck and their relationship was so beautifully depicted, too. But what stands out to me more than anything else about this book is the power of language and how the ability to read and write can be the difference between life and death. I have so much respect for Percival Everett and what he has done with this story. Incredible.

an important read

On the run with James (Jim) after he learns he is to be sold away from his family and his young companion Huck Finn, this time the story told through Jim's eyes, rather than Huck's. Well worth taking the time to the original Adventures of Huck Finn before listening to James. There's a free version of HF on audible. Highly recommend this pair of readings.