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.”
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 😊
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.
I have been thinking about this and working through my thoughts in the comments. I think my answer is no. It would help if you were familiar with Huck the character, but where the plot of Huckleberry Finn is important to the plot of James, Everett includes the information necessary. I think you could read James independently then decide if you wanted to read Huck Finn.
My comment was a bit tongue and cheek based on the idea that if Toni Morrison's Beloved can be banned for making white people uncomfortable about slavery then James can be banned for the same reason.
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. 😂)
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.
Thank you Hannah. There is a NPR interview (actually the interviewer talks about 4x as much as Everett) in which the issue of intent and re-evaluating HF. To me it seems that Everett is very respectful of HF, but wanted to write Jim’s story. Btw, Everett introduces something new that I won’t hint at further that really raised a lot of interest and questions for me.
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.
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 😊
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 🎉
I read both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in preparation for reading James.. glad I did. I found both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn difficult- and for me, somewhat anger inducing (I know, the novels were written long ago and were a product of their time). I loved the much more realistic portrayal of slavery in James and of course Everett’s unique interpretation and ‘retelling’. Great review, thank you!
Thank you for this brilliant review, Brian. My copy will arrive today, and I can’t wait to read this book. You know, I had the same thought: should I just anticipate that this, too, will be added to the growing list of challenged books? I can send you the New Yorker profile of Everett, if you tell me how to reach you. Are you on Voxxer? I will look forward to discussing this book with you further. Thanks, as always, Brian, for your really thoughtful reviews.
Thank you Pat. I imagine this book will be banned as soon as someone explains to the book banners what it’s about. So it might be a year or two🤓 I would love to read the New Yorker profile. I am an Voxer my handle is bbruce2116.
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."
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.
This is the first time I’ve ever gotten an early copy of a book. It was quite a surprise, but it’s a definite perk. RU-vid wise you could easily do what I do assuming you have the time. Plus you’d have one automatic subscriber!
I’ve been thinking about that and I’m not sure. Having read Huck Finn certainly grounds and enriches James and creates those moments of recognition in the plot. But I think if you know the basics of who Huck is in Twain’s work that might be enough. The plot of James stands on its own and there aren’t any significant characters outside of Jim and Huck in either that are not introduced in James. Where plot and characters from Huck Finn are necessary in James, Everett includes them at times sticking pretty close to Twain.
@@BookishTexan It was not having read Twain that curbed my enthusiasm to rush out and buy this book. I have many other Everett titles I could turn to and this kind of goes to the back of the queue cos I really don't want to read 19th century work from any country. Though maybe in the US it's more important for having have an understanding of the present than in most other countries.
To get the most out of it? Yes. I would argue that to get the most out of any book and also the quality of your writing would benefit greatly by reading these classics and the books that came before. I really don't understand how you couldn't be interested especially as an author yourself.
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!
I think if you have read it and remember the basics you should be fine. Where necessary Everett sticks pretty close to Twain so those details/characters are in both. I was glad I had listened to Huck Finn before I started James. I think you could read James and the go back and reread HF if you thought it was necessary.
