Welcome to Litsy!

I am really crushing the books this year - this will be my sixth! Found this one suggested through an alumni newsletter. #BookSixOf2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Solid pick from the #ToB25 short list. Lots of others have reviewed much better than I can. I loved that James was the hero, both of his own story and for so many others. And I loved that Everett got in, told the story, and let it wrap up—I feel like a lot of other authors would have added a couple hundred more unnecessary pages to the last part of the book and it didn‘t need them.

Unbelievably fantastic. This takes the story we first heard in Huck Finn, turns it around and then takes it to the next level. Very powerful stuff.

This is a hard one to discuss in 450 characters. The best thing to know is this is not a re- telling of Huck Finn. That novel was valuable in its time to revise the prevailing white POV to see the innate goodness of black people. This novel raises the ante and challenges the modern reader to see black people as fully human and capable and yearning for self- expression. It is a worthy expansion to Twain‘s masterpiece.

Birthday gifts from my mom (James) and sister (the third season of Twin Peaks - I already have the original series and Fire Walk with Me). We also went to see Dancing with the Stars Live today and will have cake in a bit 🎂 💃 📖 🦉

I am the type of person who likes to know as little as possible about a book before reading it. So when I discovered there was a book that retold Huck Finn from Jim's POV, I couldn't wait to read it! But I wouldn't reduce this story to that sentiment. This book is James' story. One of the many things lacking from my history education were the stories of resistance by enslaved people. I will never forget this version of James. (Cont in comments)

Everett poignantly describes the price of a pencil, the price of freedom, the price of humanity. James becomes more than the sidekick of Huckleberry. He becomes a hero. Hero doesn't do James justice. He becomes an avenger.

A lot of trigger warnings, but it is a must-read.

This book was great. The premise of Huckleberry Finn told from the perspective of Jim was awesome, and I particularly loved his love of literature. I‘ve only read an excerpt from the original story (high school required reading of “classics” written by white men a long time ago), and I liked this version so much better that I didn‘t even feel the urge to go back and compare the two. I highly recommend this one.

This book is one of—if not THE—best books I have ever read. I am so moved. I have no words. No words except “thank you” to the brilliant Percival Everett for blessing me with this experience. My. God. I‘m still crying.

I‘ve heard of an underground railroad. I wanted it to be real, even if I could have no truck with it. Some people were finding a way north—that was what I, so many of us, needed to believe. It pained me to think that without a white person with me, without a white-looking face, I could not travel safely through the light of the world…Without someone white to claim me as property, there was no justification for my presence, perhaps for my existence

#AuldLangSpine @JamieArc @monalyisha
I devoured most of this book on a plane ride from Newark to San Diego and wondered when I was passing over the Mississippi, where the action of this excellent novel plays out. I've been reading Huckleberry Finn at the same time, and what a complicated relationship there is between the two novels. I like how Everett didn't feel constrained to follow the original step by step, as a lot of retellings do. 👇

My library has a "blind date with a book" shelf, so I picked one up. I added this one to my TBR a couple of months ago, and I'm so excited to read it!

Currently reading James and about 60 pages in I predicted it was going to be a 5⭐️ read. I'm very interested to see how that holds up.

I found the first third of this book a little slow, but the rest was so good! I ended up crying when I was describing it to my partner. There‘s so much pain and trauma, but also humor and clarity. (7)
⭐️: 4/5

In this reimagined story, Huck Finn and Jim the slave hightail it out of Hannibal, Mo on a raft on the Mississippi River. Plenty of adventures for these two as the Civil War is beginning and every day is a fight just to stay alive. Between the perils inherent on floating down the river, and all the men out looking for an escaped slave, Huck and Jim must stay focused on finding Jim‘s family and the promise of a free state. Beautifully written.

At that moment the power of reading made itself real clear to me. If I could see the words, then no one could control them or what I got from them. They couldn‘t even know if I was merely seeing them or reading them, sounding them out or comprehending them. It was a completely private affair and completely free and, therefore, completely subversive.

Looks like James was my top pick for January. 😊
#bookbracket @Catsandbooks

I never read Huck Finn or Tom Swayer growing up (we had a parent that liked to make sure different books were banned in middle school, this was in the early 90s in a tiny town in NJ). Anyhow I really loved this one. I really enjoyed the audio version. I really loved hearing James‘s side of the story. It‘s always difficult to confront the past history of the US but so important (especially now more than ever) to hear everyone‘s story & history.

#auldlangspine Book 8 was another excellent choice by @Zuhkeeyah

This was such a fantastic take on a classic. It was full of the adventure you expect from a Huckleberry Finn retelling, but manages to say so much more about slavery and the way a Black person was required to move through the world. While I wouldn‘t call this a light read in any way, the sense of adventure did bring a bit of levity to it I wasn‘t expecting and loved. ⬇️

Since my first introduction to Everett's earlier spy spoof Dr. No, which was just as brilliantly written, I'm so happy I finally got around to reading James. A more in-depth characterization of the supporting player to Huck Finn, James gives a more compelling story of slavery as told through the perspective of the protagonist. Here, Everett gives a better view of the Jim Crow era no shying away from bigotry, racism and violence. A must read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ great book! The adventures of Huck Finn in the POV of his friend, Jim the slave.

Wow. Absolutely brilliant.

#1stBk'25. #25Alive

@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

If you didn't hate The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, you'll love James. It is refreshing to get the story from Jim's POV. I loved the idea that he and other slaves were just putting on the “slave talk“ for the benefit of white people, to appear less educated than they were. Highly recommend!

Finally, a book that lived up to the hype! The story was a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the slave‘s point of view. I‘ll admit, I‘ve never read the original book. This inspires me to. I loved the main character, James. He seems like a man I‘d be proud to know. A good way to describe this book is “adventurous” and “tense”. I found it to be a very quick read, and highly recommended it.

Lol, heartily recommended.
James by Percival Everett
5 ⭐.

#SundayFunday
@BookmarkTavern

I can see what the hype was all about with this book. This was a great re-imagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but through Jim's point-of-view. Though this book was listed under humor, I didn't find funny. It was more tragic than anything else. What Jim and other slaves went through was just horrible. However, I loved Jim's determination to save his family. I give it 4 ⭐️.

#bookspin #3 #bookspinbingo

Next listen-

2024 National Book Award

Told from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave, from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (learn from my mistakes - NO NEED TO READ TO PREPARE). Would anyone like to do a buddy read? Very informal - just read and share thoughts of each chapter. No time table. Could take all year or a week.

5/5 🌟

I grew up loving the Adventures of Tom Sawyer cartoon series, so I‘m glad this book didn‘t disappoint. It‘s clever and offers a harrowing yet compelling perspective on slavery and racism through Jim‘s eyes. The writing is spot on, and the idea that slave talk was intentionally shaped to feed white people's sense of superiority is brilliant—my favourite part. Brilliant, brilliant book!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I read “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in high school, but I didn‘t remember if lot of it (or particularly… like it? 😬) Even after brushing up on it before reading “James”, I know I‘m missing layers of brilliance with this reimagining and wish I could go to a lecture analyzing it all. It also stands on its own, though - compelling and multifaceted. 🎧

I have a new found love of Legos and this cute library sucked me into looking for more bookish legos.

My we‘re about to be getting a snow day or two reading has begun! I love snow and central VA doesn‘t get enough for it to count.

5⭐. I wasn't on the Percival Everett bandwagon after trying and failing to get through Erasure. But this book is amazing. Well-written and creative.

HE has arrived! Mr. Everett has been on my radar for quite sometime and I‘m finally getting to see what the hype is all about. I‘m only 20 pages in but I already see that Mr. Everett will have me in a chokehold for the next few days.

I absolutely loved this one.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

January bookclub pick by Vicki, so popular I wasn't sure I could get it in time but the ebook finally showed up on my Kindle. Started last night and liking it very much so far.

This is quite the adventure story.

My last book of the year was my favorite. James acknowledges that Black Lives Matter throughout American history and literature. Absolutely brilliant.

July was a great reading month for me but I have to give my #12BooksOf2024 pick to James, read for #CampLitsy24 & one of my favorites of the year. The audiobook narration quality added to my rating of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Honorable Mentions included: The Art Thief, Stone Blind, Murder Road, Just For the Summer & A Novel Love Story (I told you it was great month!) 📚📚📚

#12booksof2024 #July

Tagged book, James.💕

Another vote for James! #12booksof2024

How is it time to think about #BookspinBingo 2025? Got my new planner for 2025 so it must be! My list for January :) @TheAromaofBooks

This novel, a retelling of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, lived up to all the hype. I've loved everything from Percy Everett that I've read so far.

#HolidayBookDragons #WinterGames2024 @LiseWorks
#gottacatchemallwinteredition (friendship) @PuddleJumper
#ChristmasAtoZ #letterP @TexReader
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#ToB25

My #24in2024 📚📚
1 poetry
9 NF
3 mystery
7 Historical Fiction
4 Literary fiction

This grid was filled with a pile of stories that were okay. But I‘m sure glad I prioritized the tagged - I will think about it for a long time.

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

5 Stars • "James" by Percival Everett is a novel that reimagines Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved character. It has received widespread acclaim, winning the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction and being shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize. The novel explores themes of identity, freedom, and the harsh realities of slavery with both humor and profound seriousness.

Over half a century has passed since I read, watched, imagined, and loved the adventures of Tom and Huck. I hope it was just the young girl in me… wanting to Nancy Drew Becky Thatcher up and get more of her perspective of life on
the Mississippi, because I don‘t recall wondering about Jim‘s perspective… I‘m humbled.

It‘s hard to imagine any book living up to the incredible hype this book has sustained. While I wasn‘t quite as blown away as most folks, I definitely got onboard Jim‘s adventure. I do love to see story elements we all know through a completely different lens. Subversive and compelling.

I had so many 5 star reads in November that I filled out both my bonus slots in addition to my Nov pick! James, Hell Folows With Us, and Lucy Undying all made their way to the bracket.

#BookBracket2024 @CSeydel