Our book discussion for Wednesday, November 19 will be James by Percival Everett
Synopsis:
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view
NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER
In development as a feature film to be produced by Steven Spielberg A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times Book Review, LA Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Economist, TIME, and more.
"Genius"—The Atlantic "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
While many narrative set pieces of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.
Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a “literary icon” (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers
1. “White folks expect us to sound a certain way and it can only help if we don’t disappoint them.”
Discuss the way James and the other slaves change their speech (code-switching) when around white people versus in private. Why was code-switching necessary? In what ways does the author portray code-switching as an act of irony?
2. Discuss the importance of Jim renaming himself James. How is his name change symbolic of many of the themes of this novel? Does your name hold any deeper significance to you?
3. “Good ain’t got nuttin’ to do wif da law. Law says I’m a slave.”
Despite his relationship with James, Huck grapples with the fact that, by law, he is ‘stealing’ James by not returning him to Miss Watson. Discuss the relationship between law and morality. Should individuals hold themselves accountable to laws that violate a moral code?
4. Discuss the dynamic between James and Huck. How did their relationship evolve throughout their travels, especially as James reveals their connection?
5. Throughout the novel, James meets several other slaves and runaways (Young George, Easter, Norman, Luke, Sammy, Brock, and several others). How did the author use these interactions to demonstrate the various experiences and mindsets of slaves? Did any of these characters or interactions surprise you?
6. How is religion portrayed in James? Do you believe this perspective is justified?
7. Talk about ‘the pencil’. What does the pencil represent to James? Have you ever assigned a deeper meaning to a physical object?
8. In what ways did James’ character change throughout the novel? Were there any key moments that you felt most contributed to his evolution?
9. What do you think about Norman’s decision to maintain his identity as a black man and runaway slave, even though he was white-passing? Why do you think the author chose to include this narrative?
10. Have you read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and if so, how did that impact your reading of James?