James: A Novel by Percival Everett
#1 - James: A Novel - 5*
Percival Everett
2026
James is a great book. Great writing, incredible creativity to imagine the story of Huck Finn from Jim’s perspective, wonderful writing. As I read it, I felt immersed in James’ world. For me, that was a problem. I felt so immersed in it, empathized so deeply with the trapped, beaten, unfair, horrific world James lived in, that about halfway through I could not read on. I found this detailed summary of each chapter, and then skimmed the last part of the book. I cannot watch movies or shows where people are in prison for the same reason. My stomach gets tighter and tighter, my heart beats faster, and I have difficulty getting through the stressful feelings in my body and soul. Whether it’s trapped in prison or trapped in slavery, it has the same effect on me.
One of the first things I observed about the story was the way James spoke “slavery language” around white people and normal, quite educated English around fellow slaves/black people. At first, I was distracted by wondering if that actually happened. But soon I just marveled in the imagination of it, and enjoyed watching it play out.
Some quite harsh anti-Christianity/anti-religion comes out in the character of James.
…the Bible itself was the least interesting of all. I could not enter it, did not want to enter it, and then understood that I recognized it as a tool of my enemy. (page 90)
I am always interested in what people think and say against the faith I love. It helps me understand their reasoning, and wonder how I can try to ensure I do not foster the evil they see by what I say and do. James does not explicitly give details on his view of Christianity. I can imagine, though, the Christian people who defend slavery using the words of the Bible, the cruelty and injustice practiced and justified by Christians must contribute to his opposition.
The reviews often write about the “humor and horror” of the story. I have to admit I didn’t laugh out loud or consciously think something was funny. Characters said or did absurd things that were humorous. Mostly, I felt the horror part.
I am struggling with how to encourage people to read the book. I mentioned I have a hard time watching prison movies because my body responds so viscerally. Have you seen “The Shawshank Redemption?” It’s a great movie. I highly recommend it. Yet, I had a hard time watching it. That gut reaction happened. I had to wait until I felt psychologically strong enough to handle it, and purposely watched it on a TV to counteract the overwhelm of a big screen. That feeling of liking and highly recommending James is the same for me as liking and highly recommending James. Try it.