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Doubleday

James (Pulitzer Prize Winner): A Novel

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Description

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view • In development as a feature film to be produced by Steven Spielberg KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE • A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times Book Review, LA Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Economist, TIME, and more. "Genius"—The Atlantic • "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune • "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe • "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before. James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Doubleday


Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2024


Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385550367


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 69


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.06 x 8.56 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Black & African American Historical Fiction (Books) #1 in Fiction Satire #16 in Literary Fiction (Books)


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • History Reimagined: The Story We Never Heard from Jim
Format: Kindle
I promised myself I wouldn’t dive into any more space horror stories, but “Julia,” Sandra Newman’s retelling of Orwell’s 1984 from Julia’s point of view, completely swept me up. Naturally, when I saw James hit the shelves—a reimagining of Huck Finn through Jim’s eyes—I couldn’t resist. I was curious, but also wary, because I knew this story would be as psychologically traumatic as I feared. And I wasn’t wrong. Reading James is a deeply personal experience, especially as a Black woman, knowing that the only thing separating me from that nightmare of slavery is the year I was born. The narrative forced me to confront the reality that my great-grandparents and countless others who share my skin color endured this hellscape. It's more than just history—it's a stark reminder that they were treated as "it," less than animals, mere property. This is the kind of story that takes a physical toll on me every time I bear witness to it, but at the same time, it's necessary. One of the things I found most powerful was how James fills in the emotional and psychological blanks left by Huckleberry Finn. In Everett’s hands, Jim is more than just a loyal protector or a man enslaved. The inner thoughts and eventual confession he shares go beyond the brutality of slavery, offering an explanation for why he’s so devoted to Huck. This complexity and depth made the retelling masterful—it's still settling with me, but I can already say it was absolutely worth the read. Another aspect that haunted me was the subtle but consistent pattern Everett weaved through the story—everyone who helped Jim, except Huck, met a tragic end. It’s hard to tell if it was a coincidence or a chilling reflection of how dangerous it was to aid a Black person back then, but either way, it made clear just how easily Black lives were discarded. That’s a stark, painful truth to digest. Percival Everett’s writing is as sharp and introspective as ever, breathing new life into a character who has long been a symbol but rarely fully understood. His retelling connects a lot of plot points and unspoken questions from Huckleberry Finn in ways that are satisfying, thought-provoking, and deeply unsettling. It's one of those stories that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2024 by AccidentalDiva
    • Thought-provoking novel, powerful story, great book!
Format: Hardcover
We read this for our church book study and found so much to talk about that we discussed it for 3 weeks! There is so much in this book - the historical setting and connection to Twain's "Huck Finn" make it an enjoyable read. The events in the book, especially in the second half, make it a challenging read - not because of the literacy level, but because of the subject matter. I read through tears more often than expected, and my heart ached at Katie's story. This book gave us so much to talk about, not just in the story itself, but in how it relates to current events and today's society. We spent so much time discussing code-switching in the first session, that we had no choice but to plan another discussion. That one became mostly about identity and perception, and the third session was to hit all the other topics (as much as we could in 2 hours anyway). It was interesting that Jim is really anti-religion, but his views and experiences prompted our church ladies to have an engaging conversation about our own religious views and the history of the Black church, particularly in regards to the history of our own church denomination (like many, they were unaware of this history prior to this study - assumed our denomination had always been white and diversity is relatively new). For readers of a sensitive nature, there is some violence and disturbing content, but it is authentic to the time period in which this novel is set. We can't truly become better people until we face the awful things in our past and learn from it, move on from it and do better. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2025 by Julie R
    • Slow start but a wonderful read
Format: Hardcover
The book started out slowly for me, but turned into an exciting adventure. Definitely a worthwhile read.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2025 by P. Brothers
    • A tale of new life
Format: Kindle
Percival Everett takes the basic elements of the Huckleberry Finn story to tell Jim’s version of what happened. As is true in any eyewitness account, the story takes on its own life in the words of another person. In this story, the narrator brings to the tale the experiences of a slave and the reflections of a seasoned adult rather than the impressions of an adolescent teenager. Throughout the tale, the friendship of Jim and Huck is told with grace and dignity. Everett crafts a captivating story through language that grips your heart and soul to tell a beautiful and heartfelt story. His characters dance on the page. Everett used precise terms to share the harshness of Jim’s life. His courage in creating a life for himself is inspiring and brings an ache to create a life for oneself. In the end, the questions Everett creates for the reader are, what has named you and what will you name. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2025 by Lynda L. Blevins
    • A Bold and Brilliant Reimagining of American Literature
Format: Hardcover
James is one of the most inventive and emotionally resonant books I’ve read in a long time. Percival Everett takes the familiar world of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and flips it entirely by telling the story through the eyes of Jim—now James—a character who finally gets the depth, voice, and power he always deserved. The writing is sharp, layered, and often darkly funny. Everett doesn’t just retell Twain’s classic—he uses it as a springboard to explore race, language, survival, and freedom in ways that feel modern but still rooted in the brutality of the 19th century. There’s also a surprising amount of suspense and grit in the narrative. James is clever and self-aware, and his inner life is painted with a richness that makes the story feel both epic and intimate. This isn’t just a retelling—it’s a reframing. Whether or not you’ve read Twain’s original, James stands on its own as a powerful work of historical fiction and literary commentary. Highly recommended for readers who want to be challenged, moved, and blown away by great storytelling. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025 by Sean Bozarth
    • Very well written, excellent book!
Format: Hardcover
An eye opening retelling of the Huck Finn adventures from the viewpoint of Jim, the runaway slave. EVERYONE should read this book….for a real understanding of what it meant to be a slave.
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2026 by Amazon Customer

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