James by Percival Everett | Spoiler-free book review 📖

They're maybe few and far between on this channel, but James by Percival Everett is so good it deserved a standalone review.

I one hundred percent recommend reading this book. In fact, I can't recommend it enough. What a novel.

Thanks to Picador Mantle for the advance copy.

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Thank you so much for watching.

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#books #booktube #bookreview

[benreadsgood]

Apologies if the video and audio quality are a bit different in this video. I've upgraded (in theory!) my equipment so that I'm finally no longer using my phone, but I am a total newbie to proper cameras and post production. May take a little while to get everything looking and sounding as good as possible with the new setup. Thanks for bearing with me! ✌

[peaseblossom]

I’m eagerly waiting for my copy to cross the pond to me (I like the UK cover better). I did read Tom Sawyer and then Huckleberry Finn, mainly as an excuse to revisit them since I hadn’t read them since middle school. I forgot how much I enjoy Twain’s writing. In Huckleberry Finn, Jim gives a speech after Huck “gaslights” him as a joke, and it’s so profound and moving as an example of a person claiming their power. I can’t wait to see how Everett builds on Twain’s character and fleshes Jim out to having a full voice, his own story.

Great review! Thank you for getting me even more excited. Happy Reading. 📚

[ReadingNymph]

Running to see if my library has this book, it sounds amazing

[joangavrilik]

Loved this book❤ This is only my 2nd Everett novel, but I might spend this summer diving into his backlist. His insights are just so smart.

[Girlytang]

I have James on hold at the library behind 32 others requests. 🥴 After your review, I may have to relent and buy my own copy. Thank you!😊

[cindyfreese]

I agree 100%! Excellent review of one of my favorites this year.

[tabitha_h]

What👏 a👏 review👏!!!! this was incredible. thank you!

[StephanieP]

Amazing review Ben. It sounds like everything I was hoping it would be. I can't wait.

[ht]

Nice review, BEN! My copy was delayed for weeks, but it's finally arriving today. Glad that you mentioned James's future awards potential. It already feels like next year's Pulitzer frontrunner in my mind.

[juliebeatty]

Great review, Ben! I've just finished Huckleberry Finn and started reading James. Through this immersive experience I also read Toni Morrison's essay on Huckleberry Finn that affirms its brilliancy, repugnancy and legitimacy in classic literature. Glad I read Huck first.

[judybrown]

I received my copy yesterday. So excited.

[seamusgaelic]

Put it on my TBR. Another book you might consider reading is Finn by Jon Clinch. Jon Clinch's speculative extrapolation on the peripheral character of Pap Finn, from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckelberry Finn, is not only genius in its level of imagination, but beautifully written. I have to say though, that I have not encountered such a thoroughly amoral character in literature since Fagin from Oliver Twist. In fact, in some ways, Finn makes Fagin look downright honorable.

[bookreview]

Well that was the first time I got actually curious about this author and this book. Good job Ben!

[mradcaqbdb]

I will be reading it this weekend! I’ve already gotten through the language-y bits you alluded to, but I’m not far in yet at all. Very excited by your review and for new Percival Everett!

Almost forgot. No intention to read Huckabee Finn. I figure if I escaped grade school without having to read it, it’s a sign that I really don’t need to read it now. 😉😂

[TerryJ]

I just finished reading James today, so I’m on the hunt to hear what Booktubers said about it. I loved your review - I felt the same way about the book. I never read the original and it was not needed, at least for me. I’ll be thinking about James for a long time.

[mollyb]

Good to know I don't need to go back and reread Huck Finn (It has been probably 15 years - yikes!) to get a lot out of this one. I was on the fence about reading it but your review pushed me to put it on hold at my library!

[jacquelineturner]

I’ve been loving his work for several years and this one was riveting.

[BookChatWithPat]

Brilliant review, Ben. This is such an important novel. Well done!

[CharlieBrookReads]

Really want to read this one. Great review as always Ben.

[GemofBooks]

I’m halfway through this now and completely agree. I love the language discussion, I don’t think I’ve seen it done around slavery before.
James is such an awesome character, I have high hopes that it will make the Booker 🤞🏻