2024 Booker Prize winner: Percival Everett’s James offers a bold take on Twain’s Huckleberry Finn

The 2024 Booker Prize shortlist made headlines for several reasons, one of them being the presence of only one male author on the list: Percival Everett. His novel ‘James’, a retelling of Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, has drawn attention not only for its captivating plot but also for its fresh take on a classic American novel. Everett’s approach brings to life the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man from Twain’s original story, offering readers a new way to approach issues of race, freedom and humanity.

A unique version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” first published in 1884, is considered one of the most important works of American literature. The novel, which follows young Huck Finn and runaway slave Jim on their journey down the Mississippi River, explores themes of race, freedom, and moral growth. While Huck is the central figure in Twain’s narrative, Jim’s role, while crucial, is often secondary and filtered through Huck’s perspective.

Percival Everett’s short story, “James,” completely changes this dynamic by placing Jim at the center of the narrative. Told from Jim’s point of view, “James” reinterprets Twain’s story through the lens of an enslaved man’s experiences, offering a deeper exploration of his emotions, thoughts, and motivations. Everett’s account sheds light on Jim as an active agent in his journey to freedom, rather than a passive figure alongside Huck. This shift allows for a more nuanced discussion of race, power, and survival in the context of antebellum America.

Percival Everett: a literary innovator

Everett is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of storytelling. He is a prolific and versatile author who has written more than 30 novels, as well as short stories, poetry, and essays. His works frequently address themes of race, identity, and power, often with a strong satirical tone. He has received critical acclaim for novels such as Erasure (2001), which critiques the commodification of black pain in American literature, and The Trees (2021), which addresses the history of lynchings and racial violence in the United States.

Everett’s decision to retell “Huckleberry Finn” is bold, as the original novel remains as beloved as it is controversial due to its use of racial slurs and its portrayal of Jim. In “James,” Everett revisits this problematic story, reclaiming Jim’s voice and giving him the depth and autonomy he deserves. In doing so, he transforms Twain’s narrative into a more complex exploration of race relations in 19th-century America, as well as a reflection on contemporary issues.

Booker Prize 2024 shortlist

The inclusion of “James” on the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist is significant for several reasons. First, it marks Everett’s continued rise as a major figure in contemporary literature. Although he has been publishing for decades, his recent works have gained wider recognition, and “James” is poised to cement his status as one of the most important American authors of his generation.

Second, “James” stands out on the Booker shortlist not only because Everett is the only male author, but also because of the novel’s historical and literary context. The other shortlisted works, which range from Anne Michaels’ family saga “Held” to Samantha Harvey’s space-set novel “Orbital,” address diverse themes, but none bear the same relationship to a canonical text as “Huckleberry Finn.” This makes “James” a unique entry, as it not only tells a compelling story on its own, but also engages in dialogue with one of the most influential novels in American history.

Issues of race and identity

At the heart of “James” are themes of race, identity and freedom. By focusing on Jim’s perspective, Everett delves deeper into the psychological and emotional toll of slavery in a way that Twain’s original novel only superficially addresses. Jim is not simply a passive companion to Huck, but a man struggling with his desire for freedom, the dehumanization of slavery, and his hope for a better future. His internal struggles reflect the broader social conflicts of the time, making “James” not only a personal story but also a broader commentary on race relations in America.

Everett’s version also confronts the power dynamics inherent in “Huckleberry Finn.” In Twain’s novel, Huck’s moral growth is often framed as his eventual recognition of Jim’s humanity. In “James,” Everett turns this narrative on its head, emphasizing Jim’s inherent humanity from the beginning. This recontextualization forces readers to confront the ways in which race and power have historically been framed in literature, as well as the lingering effects of these narratives on contemporary society.

Everett’s mastery of language and narrative

One of Everett’s greatest strengths as a writer is his mastery of language. In “James,” he strikes a deft balance between the historical authenticity of the context and his own modern sensibility, creating a narrative that feels both rooted in the past and relevant to current conversations about race and justice. Everett’s prose is sharp, direct, and often infused with subtle irony that challenges readers to think critically about the material.

Furthermore, Everett’s decision to retell “Huckleberry Finn” from Jim’s perspective allows him to explore storytelling itself as a theme. By giving voice to a character who was historically marginalized, Everett engages in a form of literary reclamation, questioning who gets to tell stories and which stories are considered worthy of being told. This metanarrative adds another layer of complexity to “James,” making it not just a retelling, but a commentary on the act of storytelling itself.

Percival Everett’s “James” is a bold and necessary retelling of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” By centering Jim’s voice, Everett offers a new lens through which to view a classic American novel, offering fresh perspectives on themes of race, identity, and freedom. As the only male author on the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist, Everett stands out not only for his gender, but also for his bold approach to retelling a story that remains beloved and controversial. “James” is a testament to Everett’s literary talent and commitment to challenging the status quo, making him a deserving contender for this year’s Booker Prize.