Nowadays, bookstores’ shelves are always packed with derivatives of old classics. This happens with famous franchises such as “Star Wars” which has hundreds of variations, modern retellings of Greek heroes with stories like “Percy Jackson” and sometimes even with traditional children’s books like “Huckleberry Finn.”
While many of these retellings are of dubious quality, others, like “James” are an exception to the rule. Percival Everett, the author of “James,” has completely flipped Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” on its head. James, the plucky enslaved boy, is now no longer a side character and is the new star of the show.
“James” reads as a reclamation of Black history, showing another side to a beloved children’s book. It is a book that forces the reader to consider what stories of African American history have been hidden in long-established white tales and softened to be more palatable to its audience. However, Everett still manages to channel the spirit of Twain’s colloquial writing style in this retelling, with a lively protagonist, engaging writing style and ridiculous adventures.
At one point in the book, James is bought by a minstrel group and is forced to paint blackface on himself to appear as a white man making fun of a black one. Though this is certainly a ridiculous situation, Everett makes his audience reckon with how African Americans have forcibly had their dignity stripped from them throughout history.
“James” has been praised by The New York Times as a “masterpiece” and Everett is applauded by Kirkus Reviews as “audacious and prolific” for his retelling of an American classic. The novel is well deserving of this praise, as it is a thought-provoking story, tackling themes like identity, race and self-discovery. “James” also explores how fragile racial constructs can be, especially as they are justified and reinforced through fear-mongering and purposeful ignorance. These powerful themes present in the book prove that “James” is a worthwhile read, and Barnes & Noble certainly agrees.
Barnes & Noble’s “Book of the Year” is an annual award where the bookstore chain selects its standout title of the year. Every year, Barnes & Noble booksellers across the country vote on the book that they believe deserves this award. The decision is based on a combination of factors including cultural impact, reader engagement and critical acclaim. The award highlights books that have resonated with a wide audience and that Barnes & Nobles believe deserve a bigger spotlight.
Past winners have included books from nearly all genres, from cookbooks to autobiographies that have impressed Barnes and Noble. Books like “Crying in H-Mart” by Michelle Zauner and Greta Thunberg’s “No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference” have graced the list of awardees. And “James” certainly deserves to be counted among books like these because of its starpower.
In conclusion, James is a success story, literally, as one of the best modern retellings of an old classic. Simultaneously, the book offers a fresh perspective on race and history. Through a mix of adventure, memorable characters and a powerful message, James justified its role as book of the year, and that it certainly deserves consideration from any curious readers who are searching for their book of the year.
