"Percival Everett's 'James': A Bold Retelling of 'Huckleberry Finn'"

Percival Everett's latest novel, "James," reimagines Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from enslaved Jim's perspective, challenging assumptions about the kind of books he should write and how his characters, many of whom are Black, should behave. The novel, far darker and more imaginative than anticipated, showcases Everett's ability to continually upset expectations. Through the character of James, Everett explores themes of freedom, bondage, and the power of language, while employing metafictional devices to create a richly imagined world.