James by Percival Everett: A Review
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Published 2024-03-18
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All Comments (21)
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Thank you for your review. I am looking forward to reading the book. Recently listened to Everett’s interview on NPR. I was particularly taken with his comment that he doesn’t take all the attention he receives seriously:”It’s just work. This is the American culture. How much impact can a literary novel have on the thinking of the people of the United States? We’re not a reading culture.”
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This review has convinced me to add "James" to my reading list, especially with its timely exploration of racial dynamics. It's fascinating how Everett uses language to subvert expectations and expose the realities of the time period - definitely makes me want to revisit "Huckleberry Finn" with a fresh perspective.
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Ive been awaiting your review. Im glad Everett is receiving a revival as of late. Im most definitely going to read this. What a great, novel concept. Thanks, too, for participating in the live show, today 🎉
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My copy is on the way. I've been excited about this book for a year! Thank you for this review. I hope that more people will discover Percival Everett with James and American Fiction getting a lot of attention.
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Insightful and thoughtprovoking as always :)
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I have been waiting for your review on this one knowing how much you admire P. E.’s work. I think I may enjoy this book in the audible form more than the hard copy. I am interested in hearing the different dialects and accents used. You did a great job on this one. Can’t wait to get started 😊
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I am so looking forward to reading this! I'm listening to Huck Finn again in prep for James. TY4 the review.
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Terrific review! You've really made me want to read the bopk!
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I’m reading Huck Finn now for the first time in preparation for reading James. I haven’t gotten on great with Everett before, but I’m hoping that I’ll love this one. As I’m working my way through HF I’m getting really excited to see Jim’s perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Brian 😊
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Excellent review, thanks. I just finished the novel and I am so glad Percival pulled no punches. The condemnation of the "peculiar institution" of American slavery, while tinged with his usual good humor, was searing and direct. "I said nothing as my shirt was ripped, by someone unidentified, from my body. I said nothing as the leather stung me, ripped me, burned me. Before I passed out, I was surprised by the realization that my flowing blood did not at all cool the burning of the wounds."
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"champions of enforced ignorance" - I'll quote that. thanks for the final try reviewing this - worth it!
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So looking forward to this one!
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Excellent review. I will definitely be reading this one.
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I am so eager to read this one—and in fact had it all cued up a few weeks ago. Thanks for this excellent discussion, and for your thoughts in the comments about the issue of reading Huck before James. I think I am going to read James before I go back to HF (which I’ve read many times but not recently). I wonder if PE will help me rethink Twain’s book.
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Awesome I’m about to go get this one
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Great review! It goes on the list but I might have to wait for the paperback.
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I will try to read Huckleberry Finn before the year is out, but you’ve sold me on this book. Would I be correct in supposing that Wide Sargasso Sea by Rhys is a literary antecedent to this book? Maybe I should try try to read that first. (Here just assuming that you’ve read everything. 😂)
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Thank you for your spoiler free review. I get my pre-ordered copy today. Getting early copies of books almost makes me want to join booktube 🤔. That lasts a second because I know how much work you and your comrades put into making your reviews look easy. Thanks again. Take care.
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I’m so glad that this guy is finally getting his due. I’ve been impressed by everything I’ve read by him.
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I’m sure I read Huckleberry Finn about fifty years ago 😮 - do I need to read it again to get the most out of James? I have a ticket to see a reading by Everett next month and can’t wait!
