James by Percival Everett | Spoiler-free book review 📖 

Apologies if the video and audio quality are a bit different in this video. I've upgraded (in theory!) my equipment so that I'm finally no longer using my phone, but I am a total newbie to proper cameras and post production. May take a little while to get everything looking and sounding as good as possible with the new setup. Thanks for bearing with me! ✌

I hated Dr No and was ho hum about The Trees. However I'm planning to read James as it sounds somewhat different and I suspect it will get prize attention.

I just finished reading James today, so I’m on the hunt to hear what Booktubers said about it. I loved your review - I felt the same way about the book. I never read the original and it was not needed, at least for me. I’ll be thinking about James for a long time.

Great review, Ben! I've just finished Huckleberry Finn and started reading James. Through this immersive experience I also read Toni Morrison's essay on Huckleberry Finn that affirms its brilliancy, repugnancy and legitimacy in classic literature. Glad I read Huck first.

I’m eagerly waiting for my copy to cross the pond to me (I like the UK cover better). I did read Tom Sawyer and then Huckleberry Finn, mainly as an excuse to revisit them since I hadn’t read them since middle school. I forgot how much I enjoy Twain’s writing. In Huckleberry Finn, Jim gives a speech after Huck “gaslights” him as a joke, and it’s so profound and moving as an example of a person claiming their power. I can’t wait to see how Everett builds on Twain’s character and fleshes Jim out to having a full voice, his own story. Great review! Thank you for getting me even more excited. Happy Reading. 📚

If I read a better book than James this year my brain might explode. But that wouldn't be the worst way to go! I love Everett's abrupt endings, although he dialed that back in this one.

I’m halfway through this now and completely agree. I love the language discussion, I don’t think I’ve seen it done around slavery before. James is such an awesome character, I have high hopes that it will make the Booker 🤞🏻

I received my copy yesterday. So excited.

These two blew me away this year: James and Prophet Song. So good. By the way, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of my very favorite books. Read it.

Nice review, BEN! My copy was delayed for weeks, but it's finally arriving today. Glad that you mentioned James's future awards potential. It already feels like next year's Pulitzer frontrunner in my mind.

I will be reading it this weekend! I’ve already gotten through the language-y bits you alluded to, but I’m not far in yet at all. Very excited by your review and for new Percival Everett! Almost forgot. No intention to read Huckabee Finn. I figure if I escaped grade school without having to read it, it’s a sign that I really don’t need to read it now. 😉😂

I have James on hold at the library behind 32 others requests. 🥴 After your review, I may have to relent and buy my own copy. Thank you!😊

Loved this book❤ This is only my 2nd Everett novel, but I might spend this summer diving into his backlist. His insights are just so smart.

Running to see if my library has this book, it sounds amazing

What👏 a👏 review👏!!!! this was incredible. thank you!

Put it on my TBR. Another book you might consider reading is Finn by Jon Clinch. Jon Clinch's speculative extrapolation on the peripheral character of Pap Finn, from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckelberry Finn, is not only genius in its level of imagination, but beautifully written. I have to say though, that I have not encountered such a thoroughly amoral character in literature since Fagin from Oliver Twist. In fact, in some ways, Finn makes Fagin look downright honorable.

The code language is very interesting

Oh I could not agree more!

I can’t wait to read this one

Great review of a great book!

Well that was the first time I got actually curious about this author and this book. Good job Ben!

Brilliant review, Ben. This is such an important novel. Well done!

I've never heard of this book, but you have a kind face and now I'm really glad I clicked on the video. Thank you so much for sharing this. Great content! I watched till the end. Could you please share what the author was like? What an awesome opportunity! Sending good vibes from Alabama, USA.

I only learned about Everett when TREES became nominated. That was my favourite read for 2023 and I have been a passionate Everett fan since then. Cannot wait for James to arrive. There was an interesting article on Everett in The Guardian Books blog this week - Everett is an amazingly talented man: a skilled woodworker, jazz musician, mule and horses trainer, and much more - well worth reading the article by David Shariamadari.

Just started listening to huckleberry finn on audible as the free version is read by elijah Wood. I'm already thinking I should have read tom sawyer first! However I don't mind reading classics and I know from what you've said you don't need to read huckleberry finn to enjoy James, but going to read it anyway. Thanks for the review

That book cover is amazing. I bought it on release day. We have the Black and Yellow cover. It’s nice too though.

Amazing review Ben. It sounds like everything I was hoping it would be. I can't wait.

Excellent book! Love Huck Finn. And now I love James!

Good to know I don't need to go back and reread Huck Finn (It has been probably 15 years - yikes!) to get a lot out of this one. I was on the fence about reading it but your review pushed me to put it on hold at my library!

goodness, my special number is 24. I suppose I am being told to read it 😊

I agree 100%! Excellent review of one of my favorites this year.

Really want to read this one. Great review as always Ben.

Loved James. Re read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Enjoyed James more. Just finished Erasure and enjoyed that book also.

I’ve been loving his work for several years and this one was riveting.

I really loved this gem of a book.

This indeed was a fabulous novel.

James is tied with Wellness by Nathan Hill as my favourite reads of the year so far. It's phenomenal - funny, compelling, clever and brilliantly written. 10s across the board 🙌🏾

I'm going to order it asap.

So so good!!!