American author Percival Everett has drawn major attention with his new novel James, a reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s point of view. The book recently won the National Book Award for Fiction and has become one of the most discussed releases of the year.
In James, Everett gives Jim a strong, independent voice and reshapes the story to highlight issues of race, freedom, and identity. Many reviewers call it one of the most important reinterpretations of a classic in recent years.
For East High School readers, James is recommended if you like stories that question old ideas and tell familiar events in new ways. It’s a smart and powerful book that connects history and today’s issues in a clear, direct way.
