'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'
