I have a confession: I’ve never read Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—or The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, for that matter. Despite their status as staples of American literature, my unfamiliarity with these works meant I approached Percival Everett’s James without a point of comparison. Everett’s novel reimagines Huck Finn from the perspective of Jim—here called James—the enslaved man who runs away with Huck. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the absence of Twain’s original as a reference point. Instead, I became fully immersed in the world Everett created, a narrative rich in relationships, complexity, and rebellion. For now, I’m content to exist within Everett’s version, experiencing the story on its own terms, unencumbered by comparisons or preconceived notions.

That’s not to say I don’t plan to read Twain’s works eventually. I know that diving into Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer will provide me with new layers of understanding, particularly about the literary heritage Everett is both drawing from and subverting. But as a standalone work, James is deeply compelling, offering a perspective and voice that demands attention.

James – A Retelling, but Not Just a Retelling

Make no mistake: James is not simply a retelling of Huckleberry Finn. While Everett engages with Twain’s text, his work transcends its source material to become a narrative all its own. Through James’s eyes, we see a world fraught with hardship but also brimming with resilience and determination. His journey is one of survival, grounded in his commitment to family, dignity, purpose, and the ever-elusive dream of freedom.

This freedom, both tangible and abstract, forms the emotional core of the novel. It is not simply the physical act of escaping enslavement, but the freedom to dream, to love, to be. Everett masterfully portrays James’s internal struggle as he navigates a world designed to deny him his humanity.

What sets James apart?

• Its deeply personal narrative style. Everett’s prose invites readers into James’s mind, where every thought, observation, and decision is infused with a raw authenticity.
• It’s a perspective that feels immediate and intimate, making James’s journey all the more poignant.

Language as Rebellion

One of the most striking elements of the novel is Everett’s use of language as both a theme and a tool of rebellion. Language, in Everett’s hands, is a weapon—sharp, deliberate, and deeply subversive. James’s eloquence and command of grammar become acts of defiance in a society determined to silence him.

Time and again, James is questioned for “speaking like that.” His ability to articulate himself in ways that rival, or even surpass, the white characters around him is treated as an anomaly, as if his intelligence is an affront to the established order. But for James, language is more than a skill; it is survival. It is a declaration of his humanity and autonomy, a refusal to conform to the expectations imposed upon him.

Everett’s exploration of language is particularly poignant because it challenges long-standing literary conventions about how enslaved people are portrayed. The so-called “slave language” often depicted in historical narratives is absent here, replaced by something far more nuanced and intentional. Everett refuses to perpetuate stereotypes, instead presenting James as a character whose linguistic prowess is integral to his identity and resistance.

In this way, language becomes a parallel to the Mississippi River, a force that is central to the story and underscores its themes. Just as the river represents both opportunity and danger, James’s language offers him a path to freedom while simultaneously exposing him to scrutiny and risk.

Complex and Tender Relationships

Beyond its themes of language and rebellion, James excels in its depiction of relationships. At the heart of the novel is the bond between James and Huck, a relationship characterized by both tenderness and complexity. Everett captures the dynamic between the two with remarkable sensitivity, showing how trust and connection can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances.

The characters in James are beautifully drawn, each distinct and multifaceted. From the camaraderie between James and Huck to the moments of tension and conflict, Everett paints a vivid picture of human relationships in all their intricacies. These interactions ground the novel, providing emotional depth and a sense of authenticity.

A Rush to the Finish

If I have one critique, it’s that the final portion of the book felt rushed. After such a careful and deliberate build-up, I wanted more time to linger in those last pages, to fully absorb the weight of the story’s conclusion. The pacing in the final chapters felt almost at odds with the rest of the novel, which takes its time exploring James’s world and relationships.

That said, this critique speaks more to how deeply I was invested in the story than to any significant flaw in the writing. It’s a testament to Everett’s skill that I wanted more—not because the ending was unsatisfying, but because I wasn’t ready to leave James’s world.

Why James Matters

Percival Everett’s James is a novel that resonates on multiple levels. It is a story about resistance, about the power of language, and about the enduring human spirit. But more than that, it is a story about freedom—not just the physical act of escaping bondage, but the freedom to define oneself, to dream, and to exist fully and authentically.

The themes of James feel particularly relevant today, as conversations about race, identity, and representation continue to evolve. Everett’s refusal to conform to traditional narratives about enslavement and resistance challenges readers to rethink their assumptions and engage with history in a deeper, more critical way.

A Story Worth Revisiting

As someone who initially approached James without the context of Twain’s works, I found it to be a deeply rewarding experience. I’m eager to revisit the novel through its audiobook version, not only to hear how Everett’s exquisite prose is brought to life, but also to immerse myself once again in a story that has stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

Whether or not you’ve read Huckleberry Finn, James stands on its own as a remarkable work of literature. It is a novel that challenges conventions, celebrates resilience, and reminds us of the enduring power of language and storytelling. I can’t recommend it highly enough.