52 pages • 1 hour read
Percival EverettJames: A Novel
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
James by Percival Everett is a retelling of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, an enslaved man. Jim flees after learning that he is to be sold, and he partners with Huck, who is escaping his abusive father. They travel together on a river, encountering various people and challenges, until Jim ultimately reunites with his family and seeks freedom. The novel addresses themes related to morality, enslavement, and the resilience and humanity of enslaved people. The book includes depictions of racism, racial slurs, sexual assault, anti-Black violence, and enslavement.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
James by Percival Everett engages readers with its profound exploration of identity and race, marked by Everett's characteristic wit and nuanced prose. Critics praise the novel's depth and originality, though some find its complex narrative structure challenging. Overall, James is celebrated for its intellectual rigor and emotional resonance.
Who Should Read James?
A reader who enjoys James by Percival Everett likely appreciates innovative narrative forms, philosophical explorations, and character-driven stories. Fans of Don DeLillo's White Noise or Dave Eggers' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius will find a similar blend of wit, introspection, and social commentary.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Satire
Action / Adventure
Identity: Race
Relationships: Friendship
Values/Ideas: Good & Evil