Today's Featured Book:
James
by Percival Everett
Genre: Fiction
Published: March 19, 2024
Page Count: 320 pages
Summary:
When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
I waited at Miss Watson's kitchen door...Waiting is a big part of a slave's life, waiting and waiting to wait some more...
THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky.
I was happy enough to send Huckleberry off on his mission to the mainland. My pleasure in seeing him off was threefold. If he was unsuccessful and discovered, he might be accused of having helped me escape, rather than my being seen as a runaway. And I might no longer be suspected of his murder and/or kidnapping, the punishment for either being torture and death. Finally, if Huck was able to find his way back without detection, he could bring me much desired and needed news of my family's condition.
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I was asked to lead the discussion of James for my new book club, so I did a slow read and then a deep dive into James.
I put together this book club kit (modeled after and appropriated from other kits I found online, especially one from the Brooklyn Public Library).
The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.
July 4th - 10th - Has your perspective on reading changed as you've grown older? If so, has it affected how you write your reviews? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
Yes, reading is almost like breathing for me these days. I try to write my reviews in much the same way, as if I am naturally speaking to myself about what I have just read.
I found “James” to be enlightening as a commentary on the original Mark Twain book and also on the institution of slavery and how it affected its victims.
ReplyDelete(Blogged here: https://maefood.blogspot.com/2024/11/james-by-percival-everett.html)
I feel like that's what I do a bit too. I am normally a very shy and quiet person but if you want to talk books with me, I won't shut up! Lol. I feel like that comes off in my reviews sometimes as I can ramble a bit if I was really into it!
ReplyDeleteHere's my BBH
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
This really should get on my list. I'm sure it won't -- or I won't get to it. But it should.
ReplyDeleteYou did a lot of work on your book club kit. How did the discussion go? Or is it upcoming? I hope it went/goes well! I loved this book. Happy 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading for my own pleasure, I read Horror. Now a days I read paranormal romance. My reviews have stayed the same though.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I loved reading romances. I could read one a day. Now, I mostly read mysteries, thrillers and suspense. I still write the same reviews though.
ReplyDeleteIf I had time, I'd reread Twain and then read this. It sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a movie I saw quite a while ago. Thank you so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed James. I tried to reread Huck Finn, but ended up skimming it instead. I liked James better. Reading has definitely changed for me. I used to read all romance, and although I still do, I now read a variety of genres. I also used to watch a lot of TV, but now I read instead.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to read "James." I really must get to it soon. So many books to read, so little time...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this. Happy Friday!
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ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see the quotes from James, the author nailed it: if he disappeared with a white boy in that timeline he would be lynched for it. what a powerful choice for the rfiday 56
ReplyDeletehttps://getlostinlit.blogspot.com/2025/07/friday-book-beginnings-and-book-blog-hop.html
Now I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb, for the Book Club Kit. That is going to save me so much time and research!
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