James : The Bestselling, Award-Winning Literary Sensation
(Author) Percival Everett'Truly extraordinary books are rare, and this is one of them' - Roddy Doyle Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction Shortlisted for the Booker Prize Finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction A 'Book of the Year' in The Observer, The Times & Sunday Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Spectator, New Statesman, Independent, TLS, The Telegraph, Financial Times, i newspaper, The Economist, The Irish Times, Time and The New Yorker James is a profound and ferociously funny reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from one of our greatest living writers, Percival Everett. 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 flees to 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. So begins a dangerous and transcendent journey along the Mississippi River, towards the elusive promise of the free states and beyond. As James and Huck navigate the treacherous waters, each bend in the river holds the promise of both salvation and demise. And together, the unlikely pair embark on the most life-changing odyssey of them all . . . 'Who should read this book? Every single person in the country' - Ann Patchett 'A towering achievement' - The 2024 Booker Prize judges 'My favourite novel this year' - Salman Rushdie 'Scorchingly funny' - The Sunday Times, 'Books of the Year' 'This may be Everett's best book yet' - Bonnie Garmus 'An essential rewrite of Huckleberry Finn' - The Guardian, 'Books of the Year'
Percival Everett
Percival Everett is an American writer known for his diverse body of work that includes novels, poetry, and short stories. He is known for his experimental and genre-defying writing style that often challenges conventional narrative structures and explores themes of race, identity, and language.
Some of his most notable works include "Erasure," a satirical novel that critiques the publishing industry and explores issues of race and representation, and "I Am Not Sidney Poitier," a comedic novel that follows the misadventures of a young black man named Not Sidney Poitier.
Everett's contributions to literature include his exploration of complex and nuanced characters, his use of humor and satire to address serious social issues, and his willingness to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
His impact on the literary genre can be seen in his ability to blur the lines between genres, blend literary forms, and challenge readers' expectations. One of his most famous works, "Erasure," has been praised for its sharp social commentary and inventive narrative structure.
Overall, Percival Everett's work is characterized by its intelligence, wit, and willingness to confront difficult truths, making him a unique and influential voice in contemporary literature.