Book Report: James

9. Percival Everett, James (2024) (5/6/25)

Mark Twain begins his novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with a warning: "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." Unlike that book (perhaps), Everett's novel is replete with plot, motives, and morals. It also includes anger, despair, determination, ingenuity, and intelligence to spare. It's a remarkable book, and definitely deserved the Pulitzer Prize. 

I did not actually read this book, save for the final twenty or so pages. Rather, I listened to it, in an audio version that features the narration of Dominic Hoffman. I'm glad I did, though it is hard for me to focus as well by listening as by reading print. But in this case, the spoken version is perfect for really appreciating the code-switching Jim is required to do, running his highly literate speech through a "slave filter" whenever he has to interact with white folk. Even with Huck Finn himself. Here's a passage, from early on, where their owner, Miss Watson, has baked some cornbread and given it to Jim and his wife and daughter, Sadie and Lizzie.

     Sadie had the corn bread on the block—a stump, really—that served as our table. She sliced into it. She handed portions to Lizzie and me. I took a bite and so did Lizzie. We looked at each other.
     "But it smells so good," the child said.
     Sadie shaved off a sliver and put it in her mouth. "I swear that woman has a talent for not cooking"
     "Do I have to eat it?" Lizzie asked.
     "No, you don't," Sadie said.
     "But what are you going to say when she asks you about it?" I asked.
     Lizzie cleared her throat. "Miss Watson, dat sum conebread lak I neva before et."
     "Try 'dat be,'" I said. "That would be the correct incorrect grammar."

Throughout the book, Jim finds himself in many dangerous and demeaning, or simply lonely and desparate, situations. Always, he is self-confident, solidly in his body and mind, full of integrity. He occasionally has conversations (in his dreams) with the likes of Voltaire and John Locke, about slavery, hypocrisy, logical fallacy, and suchlike. Mostly, he knows what he wants—freedom for himself and his family—and he will stop at nothing to achieve that. 

I began this book on my drive from Ashland, Oregon, home, at the end of March. And then, I stopped. I did have the print version, but I wanted to finish with Jim's voice (via Hoffman). After Everett's win of the Pulitzer yesterday, I figured now was as good a time as any, so I took myself for a long walk—and got to within those last two dozen pages. So I finished by reading. I might just have to listen to the one-page final chapter, though—for closure. To hear Jim say, in answer to the question "And who are you?": 

     "I am James."
     "James what?"
     "Just James."

I may also have to reread Huckleberry Finn. It's been fifty-plus years. And if I do, I will look on Jim with a whole new appreciation. 

Here is a conversation between Miwa Messer and Percival Everett about this book and others of his: