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I listened to this one on my walks , and it was a lovely easy listen. A retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim‘s POV. It flowed along just the river. An engaging listen. ♥️
I listened to this one on my walks , and it was a lovely easy listen. A retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim‘s POV. It flowed along just the river. An engaging listen. ♥️
A belated review for a fantastic #CampLitsy24 pick—it made for a great read & wonderful discussion!
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” —Scout Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird
A retelling from a different character‘s perspective invites its readers to consider things from a new point of view—it was high time someone did this with Huck Finn.⤵️
So sorry 😢 #camplitsy but just not for me , I have a TBR pile taller than me and I‘m 5ft 7” 😂so my golden rule for 2024 reads is if it doesn‘t grab me by 100pages I‘m out . Iv never read Twain never had an inclination to but I have enjoyed previous Everett‘s works , this one sadly just wasn‘t for me
When you collect everyone‘s suggestions for book club and come up one short, you suggest James.
I‘ve learned that it‘s not always a good idea to suggest a book I haven‘t read. 🥴
A slave like James—and the owners who control him—know that the most powerful weapon is the pencil, not the pistol. A command of language does just that: commands. To tell a story that remains, that places cruelty on the record for all to see, that announces its author by name as someone in complete control of their own narrative? That‘s its own mighty shot.
I‘m just starting this and late to the game for #camplitsy. However, I‘m not late for the PBS books readers club session with the author later this month.
I loved this retelling of Huck Finn. Everett pulls no punches throughout the story. He gives the slaves a voice, while highlighting there‘s no where safe to use it.
Thank you #camplitsy for the great discussions!
My hold came in too late to really participate in the #CampLitsy24 discussions, but I whipped through this book in a couple of days. I've never read Huck Finn, but I found it didn't matter. Everett has imbued James with a rich, engaging voice, and delivers a thoughtful character study, adventure tale, and story of the good and bad in humanity (with a healthy dose of the grey area in between).
I am conflicted about this one. Overall, the writing of Everett is brilliantly satirical and horrific. “Jim“ from HUCK FINN ends up being a facade behind the true “James“ in this novel. Did I need that? Truthfully, no. I may be the only one, but I saw Jim's extreme depth, intelligence, compassion, and anger in the original Twain novel. I never saw Jim as a caricature; I saw the true essence of him behind Twain's lines. It is Jim's ⬇️
3✨ I enjoyed reading this reimagining of Huckleberry Finn in the POV of Jim. It was interesting to see his perspective during this timeframe. #CampLitsy24 @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB @Megabooks
This is really good. Creative storytelling of a novel that is well known. Excellent
Another fantastic #CampLitsy selection! I will say that I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as the other Everett novels I‘ve read. But it was very good and his brilliance at subtle satire and storytelling comes through. I look forward to my next read of his!
What an incredible book. Thank you #CampLitsy24 for bumping this up on my TBR I was cautious about picking it up (there are lots of N-bombs and many uncomfortable scenes - the book is about slavery). I think Everett is a genius and this book shows it. The way he uses language - in the book and through the characters - is creative and effective. The pacing was perfect, this is a journey story and he keeps it moving there wasn't a boring bit. 👇
I got curious about the word "bully" wondering if the word for mean people came from the horrid weapon that slavers would whip enslaved people with.
Turns out the word is very old: Oxford says - mid 16th century: probably from Middle Dutch boele ‘lover‘. Original use was as a term of endearment applied to either sex; it later became a familiar form of address to a male friend. The current sense dates from the late 17th century
I have a hard time picking favorites, but Percival Everett is a no-brainer for me. I describe him as brilliant but readable. I love how he writes with such nuance, makes you think in ways you didn‘t expect, and turns the tables on things. He writes about incredibly difficult subject matter in a way that doesn‘t leave you feeling too heavy. James was no exception. Now, what should my next PE book be?
#camplitsy24
I loved this. I hesitate to call it a retelling or reimagining of Twain‘s novel, because that almost seems to cheapen what Everett has done here. This is Jim‘s story, told with skill, care, and nuance. Everett‘s prose reads quickly, with short chapters, and expresses so much depth of experience. There‘s danger, drama, heartbreak, and hope all packaged in 300 nearly perfect pages. One of my favorite books this year & my first Everett. #camplitsy24
For those interested, PBS is holding a Facebook Live event about James. You can search the event on FB for more information. #CampLitsy24
My spouse sent me this from a Facebook page. You can search for it for the full post.
“Huck and Jim in Their Final Years”
In 1903, on his last visit to his in-laws at Quarry Farm in Elmira, New York, Mark Twain posed for this photograph with his friend, John T. Lewis (1835-1906), who was born a free man in Maryland and who had migrated to upstate New York.
Lewis is said to be the inspiration for Jim/James.
#CampLitsy24
Our first-ever bonus question. We wanted to include one for those of us who have read the original Twain, but we know that's not everyone hence it being a bonus. But I'm really excited to hear the compare/contrast on this one! #CampLitsy24
Last question for James except for our first-ever bonus question! I hope to see a lot of you back for the first half All Fours next Saturday. Helen, Barbara, and I are working on the questions this weekend, and I know the discussion will be just as good. We appreciate all our campers! #CampLitsy24
Question Two! #CampLitsy24
Welcome back to camp! I hope you like this week's questions about James. Last week's discussion was fantastic, and I appreciate everyone who participates and enriches our reading experience. #CampLitsy24
I finished listening to James this week while visiting southeast Missouri, including a couple towns right along the Mississippi River, which made it hit just a bit harder. I enjoyed this book, and I also want to read it again after revisiting Huck Finn. I especially appreciated the emphasis on language.
*I received this audiobook through the Libro.fm Educator ALC program.
#CampLitsy24 #audiobook #Librofm #ALC
Wow. Just…WOW.
#CampLitsy24
This is the epitome of brilliant storytelling - I think the audio added to this as the narrator was AMAZING (if anyone ever asks for audio recommendations this will be my go to). I think Jim/James was a great protagonist in the journey he goes through and the courage and wisdom he has. I loved it as a story but I think reading it with #camplitsy in mind added more depth to the way I listened to it, making me think more deeply about it. #tbrtarot
My hold FINALLY came in yesterday, so I'm reading while my kids play ping pong at the park. I doubt I'll finish it before tomorrow's #CampLitsy24 discussion, but I'll read as much as I can!
WOW. I‘m overcome with emotion after finishing this. Everett did it again. Cannot WAIT for the #camplitsy24 discussion! #bookhangover @Megabooks @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB
I picked up the book on Monday, & finished it on Wednesday! 😂
This is my second Percival Everett (after Dr. No), & I'm searching out the backlist (luckily, I have a few on Kindle already). Considering I don't like Huckleberry Finn, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this retelling! It's not quite 5 stars, as there were a couple of bits that were hard to read.
#camplitsy #52bookclub #abruptending #waterpolo #pop24 #recommendedbylibrarian
Jim, from Huckleberry Finn fame, tells his story about slavery and his trek down the Mississippi River with Huck. A frustrating read because Jim often finds himself in extremely frustrating circumstances. This is an excellent book to describe the realities of slavery from the heart of a good man. It is also a satisfying read but I won‘t even hint because of spoilers. A fine choice for #camplitsy24 @Megabooks @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB
OMG this was such a fast read for me! I inhaled it! #camplitsy picked a winner ❤️❤️❤️ I might need to revisit Huckleberry Finn now
I did read Huck Finn when I was a kid, but it‘s been so long I don‘t remember much about it, except that I thought Tom Sawyer was better.
I‘m not going to say too much because I‘m saving it for the #CampLitsy discussion on Saturday, but I thought this was a satirical retelling at its best.
(Look up Content Warnings if you need to before reading.)
Sietje‘s morning face… she knows it‘s about time to leave for work.
Afternoon cake and coffee. Add some James & it‘s a delightful repast. ☕️🍰📙
I just finished- what a book! Now I want to replay the interview/ discussion with the author I attended at the Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT. My guess is the interview/discussion will be so much more meaningful now that I have read the book. ❤️ #Camplitsy24
https://www.youtube.com/live/ppcamx588NE?si=DDd1FbetZ17OkUE_
This is an hour long discussion with the author.
What book to read this morning? Enjoying the porch while I can; heat wave starts at noon. Got up at 6:15 to walk while it was still cool so I feel quite accomplished.📚☕️🚶🏻♀️➡️☀️🥵 #porchlife
#WeeklyFavorites
Was glad to have #CampLitsy discussion yesterday so I could finish James. I only had broad stroke memory of Huck Finn which I don‘t think mattered. Looking forward to next Saturday‘s discussion so won‘t say more than Percival Everett has become a favorite author. 4.5 🌟
@Read4life
Mid-19th century Missouri, Jim is a slave. You‘ll recall some familiar characters: Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn. When Jim hears a rumour that he is to be sold, separated from his wife & daughter, he decides to flee. He encounters many terrible characters on his journey. You‘ll find yourself flipping pages just to find out how it ends.
Very well written. Some witty, some very harsh describing the realities of what has happened in our country.
Quicker read than I was expecting, short chapters and mostly dialogue. Read it in one sitting yesterday. Read for #camplitsy. Don‘t have anything to add to the discussions. @Megabooks
“How strange a world, how strange an existence, that one‘s equal must argue for one‘s equality, that one‘s equal must hold a station that allows airing of that argument, that one cannot make that argument for oneself, that premises of said argument must be vetted by those equals who do not agree.”
#CampLitsy24
Everyone meet back for campfire s'mores tonight and online next Saturday morning as we discuss the second half. Have a great weekend! #CampLitsy24
I hope everyone is enjoying the unlimited reading time at camp! (Definitely not available at any camp I went to as a kid. 😂) The audiobook/crafting activities cabin is now open, too. #CampLitsy24
Welcome to another week of #CampLitsy24! I've been pleased to see a lot of you have been enjoying James as much as I have. Looking forward to another lively discussion this week. Thanks for being a part of camp!
We are just about 36 hours out from our first week discussing James for #CampLitsy24. I loved this just as much the second time I read it. I hope you love the questions we have for Saturday!
What a great read! Tore through it. #CampLitsy24
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really sped through this. I intended to read half and stop but checked my progress on my kindle and I was at 65%, so I just continued.
A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain through the eyes of a slave, Jim/James. Without having read Twain‘s novel, I feel like I‘m missing some things about the story and couldn‘t believe some aspects. Maybe I should have read it first? 🤷🏻♀️
Still a great read. #camplitsy24
#CoverLove Day 2: #Black with a touch of orange. Finished reading our #CampLitsy24 book club pick for July while in the plane from Dubai-Doha enroute to Jakarta a few days ago. Cannot wait to discuss this!
#bookspin
#doublespin
Already started James for #CampListy24 glad I am reding it for a group read because I am not sure I would be able to get through it on my own.
Middlemarch is this months classic being a spin will encourage me to jump in!