James

From the acclaimed writer of The Trees, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Erasure, adapted into the Oscar-winning movie American Fiction, comes an extraordinary novel praised by Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize recipient for Paddy Clarke, Ha Ha Ha. Percival Everett's James is a captivating and sharp-witted exploration of identity, belonging, and the lengths we go to safeguard loved ones. It bravely reinvents Mark Twain’s classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as the character of Jim steps forward to seize his narrative and challenge the societal norms that have marginalized him.Set in 1861 along the Mississippi River, James follows the story of the enslaved Jim, who learns of his impending sale to a new owner in New Orleans, a fate that would separate him eternally from his family. In a desperate bid for autonomy, he seeks refuge on Jackson’s Island, hoping to devise a plan. Concurrently, Huck Finn escapes from his abusive father, feigning his own demise. Together, they embark on a perilous journey down the river on a raft, in pursuit of the freedom promised by the northern states.As they navigate the perilous waters of the Mississippi, every twist and turn presents the possibility of both hope and disaster. With talk of an impending war in the air, James grapples with the weight of his relentless quest to protect his family and the persistent deception he must uphold. In this epic odyssey, James and Huck form an unlikely alliance, facing the most dangerous and transformative journey of their lives.