James
Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Description of book
'Truly extraordinary books are rare, and this is one of them' – Roddy Doyle
'His [Dominic Hofman] performance is terrific: variously wry, poignant and thoughtful as he imbues Jim with the humanity and agency denied to him by Twain' – The Guardian, Audiobook of the Week
James is a profound and ferociously funny novel from one of our greatest living writers, Percival Everett.
The Sunday Times Bestseller
Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction
Winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize
Finalist for the Orwell Prize for Fiction
The Mississippi River, 1861. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new owner in New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter forever, he flees to nearby Jackson’s Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father who recently returned to town.
So begins a dangerous and transcendent journey along the Mississippi River, towards the elusive promise of the free states and beyond. As James and Huck navigate the treacherous waters, each bend in the river holds the promise of both salvation and demise. And together, the unlikely pair embark on the most life-changing odyssey of them all . . .
A 'Book of the Year' in The Observer, The Times & Sunday Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Spectator, New Statesman, Independent, TLS, The Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, i newspaper, The Economist, The Irish Times, The New York Times, TIME and The New Yorker
'Who should read this book? Every single person in the country' – Ann Patchett
'Scorchingly funny and action-packed' – The Sunday Times, 'Books of the Year'
'This may be Everett's best book yet' – Bonnie Garmus
'Playful and viciously comic' – The Telegraph, 'Books of the Year'
'My favourite novel this year' – Salman Rushdie
Ratings & reviews
4.6
★★★★☆413 ratings
4.8
★★★★☆413 ratings
I was recommended this book and I didn’t know what to expect as I’ve never read Huckleberry Finn. I was moved by James’ story and his determination and in equal measure, I became more and more angry that human beings can be capable of such cruelty to fellow human beings.
Marios
★Book5
★Narration5
I’ve never read Huckleberry Finn but I don’t think that affected my enjoyment of and appreciation for this retelling. It was of course dark and harrowing in places but also full of warmth and humour. The writing is beautiful, poetic and utterly gripping and Dominic Hoffman’s narration was the perfect match.
Joy
★Book5
★Narration5
I cried. It was beautiful and tragic. More so that we know this happened … this IS history. The book was brilliant, beautiful and a must read for students and adults alike.
Emma
★Book5
★Narration5
Wow! What a book and perfectly read by Dominic Hoffman. The Trees didn't fully do it for me but this one was amazing. It's in the spirit of the great American adventure novels but without turning a blind eye on the injustices and cruently surrounding it. Funny at times, harrowing at others but always captivating.
Michael
★Book5
★Narration5
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