In the pantheon of American literature, few works loom as large as Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Now, with his latest novel “James,” the prolific and provocative author Percival Everett has taken on the monumental task of reimagining this classic from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck on his journey down the Mississippi. The result is a tour de force that is both a searing indictment of America’s original sin and a profound meditation on freedom, identity, and the power of language.
From the outset, Everett makes it clear that this is no mere retelling. While the basic framework of Twain’s narrative remains intact, “James” is very much its own beast – fiercer, funnier, and far more complex than its predecessor. The novel opens with Jim (who prefers to be called James) overhearing that he is to be sold away from his wife Sadie and daughter Lizzie. This catalyzes his decision to escape, setting in motion a series of events that will intertwine his fate with that of young Huck Finn.
A Voice Reclaimed
The most striking aspect of James by Percival Everett is, unsurprisingly, James himself. Everett has gifted his protagonist with a rich inner life and a voice that crackles with intelligence, wit, and barely contained rage. This James is no simple, superstitious figure content to follow Huck’s lead. He is a man of depth and contradiction—a loving father, voracious reader, and potential revolutionary all rolled into one.
Everett’s masterstroke is in James’s command of language. Throughout the novel, we see him code-switch between the dialect expected of him by white characters and his true, erudite manner of speaking. This linguistic dexterity becomes both a survival tactic and a form of quiet rebellion.
The River’s Pull
As in Twain’s original, the Mississippi River serves as both setting and symbol, a powerful force carrying our protagonists towards an uncertain future. Everett’s descriptions of life on the river are vivid and immersive, capturing both its beauty and its danger. The author doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the antebellum South, and there are moments of shocking violence that serve as stark reminders of the world James is trying to escape.
The relationship between James and Huck is complex and evolving. While there is genuine affection between them, Everett doesn’t allow us to forget the power imbalance at the heart of their dynamic. James’s internal struggle—to trust Huck or to protect himself – provides much of the novel’s emotional tension.
A Gallery of Rogues
Fans of Twain’s work will recognize many familiar faces, though often in altered forms. The Duke and the Dauphin, those lovable scoundrels, make their appearance, but Everett uses them to explore deeper themes of performance and identity. Their cons take on a darker edge when viewed through James’s eyes, highlighting the casual cruelty that underpins so much of society.
New characters also populate the narrative, adding depth and nuance to James’s world. Particularly memorable is Norman, a light-skinned Black man who passes for white and becomes an unlikely ally in James’s quest for freedom. Through Norman, Everett examines the complexities of racial identity and the painful choices forced upon those living under oppression.
Humor in the Darkness
Despite its weighty themes, James by Percival Everett is shot through with Everett’s trademark wit. The author has a gift for finding humor in the darkest of situations, and there are moments of genuine hilarity scattered throughout the novel. This gallows humor serves to both lighten the mood and highlight the absurdity of the racist systems James must navigate.
One particularly memorable scene involves James and Huck encountering a group of Union soldiers. The ensuing conversation is a masterclass in dramatic irony, with James’s true intelligence shining through even as he’s forced to play the role of the simple slave. It’s funny, yes, but also deeply sad—a reminder of the talent and potential stifled by slavery.
A Reckoning with History
As James and Huck make their way downriver, Everett weaves in historical context that Twain’s original largely elided. References to slave rebellions, the growing abolitionist movement, and the impending Civil War create a sense of a world on the brink of massive change. This broader perspective serves to heighten the stakes of James’s personal journey.
Everett doesn’t shy away from criticizing Twain’s depiction of Jim, but “James” never feels like a simple corrective. Instead, it’s a nuanced exploration of how stories shape our understanding of history and of ourselves.
A Literary Tour de Force
Everett’s prose is, as always, a joy to read. He moves effortlessly between lyrical descriptions of the natural world and sharp, staccato dialogue. The author’s command of voice is particularly impressive, with each character feeling distinct and fully realized.
While James by Percival Everett can be enjoyed without knowledge of Twain’s original, readers familiar with “Huckleberry Finn” will find added layers of meaning and subversion. Everett engages in a kind of literary judo, using the weight of Twain’s classic against itself to create something entirely new.
Comparisons and Context
James by Percival Everett fits into a tradition of works that revisit classic literature from new perspectives, such as Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Jean Rhys’s “Wide Sargasso Sea” or Alice Randall’s “The Wind Done Gone.” However, Everett’s novel feels particularly urgent and necessary in our current moment of racial reckoning.
Readers familiar with Everett’s previous works, such as the satirical “Erasure” or the genre-bending “The Trees,” will recognize his ability to tackle serious subjects with a light touch. “James” continues this tradition, using humor and literary playfulness to examine deep-seated societal issues.
A Timely Tale
While set in the past, “James” resonates powerfully with our present moment. Discussions of systemic racism, the power of education, and the nature of freedom feel startlingly relevant. Everett challenges us to consider how far we’ve really come since the days of Twain, and what work remains to be done.
Conclusion: A New American Classic
With “James,” Percival Everett has not only reimagined a beloved classic but has created a work that stands proudly on its own merits. It is at once a gripping adventure story, a thoughtful meditation on race and identity, and a masterclass in narrative technique.
Everett’s James is a character for the ages—complex, flawed, and achingly human. Through his eyes, we see the antebellum South in all its contradictory glory and horror. We feel the weight of history and the desperate yearning for freedom.
“James” is a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It challenges, entertains, and ultimately, enlightens. In giving voice to a character long silenced, Everett has crafted what may well become a new American classic.