James
Rikke’s Review:
In this majestic new novel, which has long been on my list, Everett flips the perspective of the events in Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” He gives us the story in the voice of Jim/James, the novel’s enslaved runaway. While many of the events closely mirror those of the original book, Everett also takes the liberty of letting James’ story branch off in other directions, and James’ resourcefulness, compassion and intelligence and his concerns about freedom and safety are shown in a radically new light.
The Mississippi River, 1861.
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new owner in New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson’s Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father who recently returned to town. Thus begins a dangerous and transcendent journey by raft along the Mississippi River, towards the elusive promise of the free states and beyond.
As James and Huck begin to navigate the treacherous waters, each bend in the river holds the promise of both salvation and demise. With rumours of a brewing war, James must face the burden he carries: the family he is desperate to protect and the constant lie he must live. And together, the unlikely pair must face the most dangerous odyssey of them all .
From the shadows of Huck Finn’s mischievous spirit, Jim emerges to reclaim his voice, defying the conventions that have consigned him to the margins.
