A Book A Week

Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a cornerstone of American literature, garnering both admiration and critique since its initial publication in 1885. While celebrated as a quintessential "great American novel," its legacy is not devoid of controversy. Early detractors took issue with its use of vernacular English and its meandering narrative, following the exploits of the eponymous Finn as he navigates the Mississippi River. In more contemporary times, scrutiny has intensified over its portrayal of race, particularly its liberal use of the n-word throughout the text. Nevertheless, Twain's exploration of boyhood and his satirical commentary on America's entrenched racial attitudes and notions of freedom render the novel a rich subject for study and reflection.

Author Percival Everett, renowned for his incisive wit and willingness to tackle contentious themes, brings his formidable talent to bear in reimagining Twain's classic work. With a career spanning four decades, Everett has crafted sharp, thought-provoking novels that push boundaries and challenge conventional norms. Upon learning of his latest endeavor, a reinterpretation of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn titled James, I anticipated a literary treat. Few writers are as adept as Everett at navigating the complex interplay of tones and themes present in Twain's seminal work. After all, this is the same author who masterfully blended comedy with a narrative on lynching in his 2021 novel The Trees, a feat that seemed impossible until I experienced it firsthand. Armed with high expectations, I eagerly delved into James, poised to witness Everett's unique perspective on this timeless tale.

As the title implies, James offers a fresh perspective by narrating the story through the eyes of Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Finn on his adventures in the original narrative. Percival Everett immediately distinguishes Jim from his portrayal in the original text by endowing him with an intellect that defies the era's expectations. Jim and his fellow enslaved individuals lead a dual existence, seamlessly transitioning between sophisticated English when among themselves and deliberately employing "incorrect grammar" in the presence of their white owners. Through this simple yet powerful device, Everett exposes the absurdity of racism in America, highlighting how the enslaved people consciously contribute to perpetuating the illusion of Black inferiority for their own safety.

While the novel adheres to many of the original storyline's beats, Everett injects a clearer sense of purpose by orchestrating Jim's escape from enslavement after a botched theft. Concealed in the underbrush, Jim encounters Finn, who has staged his own demise and seeks refuge. Predictably, the white populace implicates Jim in Finn's supposed demise, triggering a relentless manhunt. This imbues James with a sense of urgency absent from Twain's original text. While retaining familiarity with key plot points, Everett introduces fresh scenarios that heighten tension and the underlying social commentary permeating the narrative. Whether or not readers are acquainted with Mark Twain's source material, Everett's reimagining offers a compelling and thought-provoking experience. For those familiar with the original work, Everett's additions infuse the story with an enhanced sense of humanity. James is another stellar addition to Everett's oeuvre, showcasing his adeptness at crafting intricate plots, nuanced character development, incisive humor, and poignant social critique.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads.

(2024, 23)

In the scope of American history, racism and police brutality have gone hand in hand. They are codependent evils founded on ignorance and hate. Sadly they are evils that continue to exist in the present day.  It seems like every week, there's a shocking new video of another unarmed black man being killed by the police. Society seems to be more and more aware of these issues, but the people in power still seem unable to put a stop to them. It is natural that artists would turn to their craft to address these difficult subjects. Percival Everett's 2021 novel The Trees attempts to do just that. 

“You should know I consider police shootings to be lynchings.”

Money, Mississippi isn't the kind of town most people have heard of. The small rural community is one rooted deeply within its own past. A deeper investigation into the town's history would reveal that it played host to one of the most disturbing pieces of American history. Money, you see, is the place where the notorious lynching of the young boy Emmett Till took place. All these years later, the townsfolk continue to live their lives as if nothing has changed. They act and speak with the casual racism of their Jim Crow ancestors. 

The novel gets moving straight away when a white man named Junior Junior is discovered murdered. He's been castrated and strangled with rusty barbed wire. As if this isn't gruesome enough, another corpse lies next to him. This second body looks eerily like the murdered Till boy, brutal beating and all. Soon this crime is repeated in another town. The method of execution is identical, and the remains of the Emmett Till lookalike are present again. Over the next several days this exact scene unfolds in various locations across the country. Who is behind these killings? Is the past finally catching up with the people who deserve to see justice?

The Trees sees Percival Everett write an explosively powerful novel that subverts nearly every attempt to classify it. The plot is driven by a fast-paced murder mystery, a crime that seems too implausible to be real. Everett characterizes the racist southerners in his work as sheer clowns, mocking their stupidity and obtuseness. This gives the work a quick-witted humor that I wasn't expecting from a book about lynchings.  Here though, it works. The comedy lies hand in hand with the more poignant and disturbing elements of the book. Everett doesn't shy away from the violence that comes with hate crimes, using the horrific details of the events to highlight the bitter reality. It is in the 105-year-old character Mama Z, that I found the most emotional impact. She has taken it upon herself to write the names of every lynching victim in her lifetime, a solemn labor of dignity and respect in a world where decency seems to be in short supply. The Trees is as propulsively readable as it is challenging. It is a masterwork of modern fiction. 

For more information visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 10)