Familiar but unfamiliar – Everett’s novel James reimagines the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the enslaved Jim’s perspective. It is no surprise that throughout the years, Twain’s novel has been considered “problematic” and even banned in many schools. Having had the opportunity to teach this adventure story for over a decade, I would be remiss now, not to include James’ (Jim’s) voice during his journey of self-emancipation.

Everett’s Jim skillfully exposes racial dynamics and the evils of slavery through the flight of characters on the run and through the power of a stolen pencil. Jim writes himself into being and claims his identity through the name “James”, giving his once suppressed voice the power of language with elevated diction and code-switching of the vernacular. Using satire to mock social and cultural norms, Everett describes how Jim is forced to play dumb for survival while his self-education anchors him in the world of books. Voltaire, John Locke, and even Kiergegard become his imaginary mentors who provide solace, philosophical guidance and comic relief for the reader. Pursuing his freedom and family, Jim is as complex as is his evolving relationship with Huck and the characters he meets along the way. The reader sees and feels what Jim sees and feels. At times, it is painfully visceral. There are blunt descriptions of graphic lashings and gendered violence and ultimate rage. Everett claims this book is a “conversation with Twain.” This may be true, but the conversation needs to be larger.