James

This is one of my favorite books in a while. I listened to it on audio at a friend’s recommendation; I’m so glad I did as the narrator really acts it out. James is the retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, from Jim (the slave)’s perspective. It is clever, it is smart, and it will make you feel every single emotion (I laughed out loud and also cried out loud). I am absolutely thrilled that it is going to be made into a feature film (produced by Steven Spielberg!). When Jim (James) hears that he is about to be sold (and separated from his family forever), he decides to run. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father. And so begins their famous journey down the Mississippi River. Some of the elements of the original novel remain place (some smaller characters like the Duke and Dauphin, the floods and storms) but this is all about Jim’s story. His intelligence, agency, compassion, etc. His character is shown in a new light and it’s just… wonderful (but also heartbreaking at times: no spoilers but you will cry). It’s truly a masterpiece and something I have been recommending to absolutely everyone!