James: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2024 Paperback – 21 March 2024

A phenomenal read that merges with a timeless classic, adding a beautifully brutal verse to it. It helps add layers to a seemingly simplistic tale, transforming it into an infinity more complex and heart shattering mirror to the times it belonged to.

I have not read Huckleberry Finn. Went into the book not even knowing that the character will show up. But what kept me going was the lovely awareness of the lead character who is telling the story. There is instantly something amazing about this book that makes you want to keep turning the page. This is a great understudy of humanity held by the threads. The book has mystery, adventure and a lot of drama. You will meet some great people along the way. You will get a sense of understanding of the culture that existed during slavery and how it has impacted our world. If only you study minorities do you get a sense of human civilisation and the complexities of the human mindset.Loved the pacing, masterful editing, not one page seemed force or irrelevant, this book is timeless and it feels as though it could have been written in 1930. I have never read this author but I will try at least one more book because of how just good the storytelling was.WARNING - this is not an overdramatic book despite being about slavery, it does not have harsh depictions that will make you wince but it warms up to you by simply questioning the goings of the time it was written in.

This book makes me angry.How have we claimed the human race to be "human"? How do we think we are better than animals? No animal will attack another just because it is different. That is our specialty.James is a retelling of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, but from the perspective of the Black companion who accompanies Huck on the adventure. For a full understanding of James, read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn before you read this book.

Having grown up with the Mark Twain characters, this was a beautiful reimagining of James' life. The insight about how his grasp of language and ability to read was far more feared than his gun or ability to kill was striking. Huck's character growth is also wonderfully played out. The multiple side characters like the King and Bilgewater add the kind of dark humor - not quite comic relief - that kept the narrative fast-paced and engaging.

The plot, the gripping pace. Superb. Heartbreaking. Makes us feel ashamed to be humans. Because we share the collective responsibility of cruelty on fellow beings.

What an interesting concept—to reimagine Mark Twain’s classic ’The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ from the perspective of Huck’s companion, the runaway slave Jim! Jim has been given a voice. He is James, a cerebral narrator, a loyal father and husband, and a teacher to young black children.The first part of the book sticks to events that match Twain’s original. But midway , Huck and James are separated, and the latter begins to have adventures of his own. The chapters are short, and keep the story going at a quick pace. Not once did it drag for me at any stage.Though I thought the ending a bit sudden, it takes away nothing from the rest of the novel.There are twists and turns, much like the river Mississippi which plays an important part, in the tale to keep one engrossed throughout.The code-switching is very well done—how the black folk speak normal English to each other and switch over to pidgin English in front of the whites, because that is what the whites expect of them. The period this novel is set has also been advanced by 20 years from the original to the early 1860s in order to introduce the rumblings of the Civil War.A picaresque novel, it explores rape, murder, beatings and racism with wit and satire. It’s brilliant enough to be a standalone novel, without having to use the crutches provided by Mark Twain. I loved it.

Liked it. It talks on slavery, friendship,philosophy and humanity,Best luck for booker prise 2024.Mississippi river and journey on raft like so much.

Fantastic book. Must read.However seller sent an old damaged condition book. And as it was meant as a gift, we came to know only later causing embarrassment.