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James

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James

By: Percival Everett
Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman
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About this listen

'Truly extraordinary books are rare, and this is one of them' – Roddy Doyle

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 Telegraph, Financial Times, i newspaper, The Economist, The Irish Times, Time and The New Yorker


Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize
Finalist for the Orwell Prize for Fiction


James is a profound and ferociously funny literary reimagining from one of our greatest living writers, Percival Everett.

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 . . .

'Who should read this book? Every single person in the country' – Ann Patchett

'A towering achievement' – The 2024 Booker Prize judges

'My favourite novel this year' – Salman Rushdie

'Scorchingly funny' – 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'

©2024 Percival Everett (P)2024 Penguin Random House LLC
African American Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction United States Funny Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Witty Mississippi
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What listeners say about James

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Excellent!

I have no words. Just read this book. It will stay with me a long time. Thank you for this story Mr Everett.

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliant, moving but utterly devastating

A challenging, compelling read which finally makes three-dimensional and brings centre-stage a famous but opaque fictional character.

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Amazing!

The narration for this was simply superb. A harrowing yet riveting tale of slavery in the lead up to the Civil War told as a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn. Highly recommended.

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Thought provoking and brilliant

Brilliant writing. Sometimes funny, often moving, always thought provoking. Should be required reading alongside Tom Sawyer in schools.

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An old tale retold

I loved this book! Beautifully written, a clever, unsentimental and moving story of a resourceful individual escaping the horrors of a slave’s life.
It is tender, funny in places, and has excellent characterisation. I was spellbound all the way through 💚

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excellent story

just a very good story. A consistent, believable voice throughout. page turner. excellent story. enjoyable

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An important correction of the popular story

An exceptional story of the brutality of slavery and why white folk need to feel the pain of history inflicted by their ancestors - and the history rightful anger of African Americans. Should be on every school curriculum.

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Compulsive, compulsory

Percival Everett shows a command of his craft that is every bit the equal of Mark Twain - both are astonishingly talented and unusual writers. Like Twain, he manages a serious story in a manner that is compelling story-telling, as well as mixing comedy and tragedy, and all in that hardest of all narrative formats, the first-person. It is compulsive listening. But underlying the story is a commentary on the deep racism that exists, not only in the US but throughout the world, in relation to colour. It shines a light in a way that we all should read. You can't ignore this book.

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Astonishing

Astonishing. Thought provoking. Powerful. I loved every second of this audio book. I want to read it now.

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adventure with James!

absolutely loved it. absolutely honoured to be part of Himself journey. perfectly written. brilliantly realised.

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