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James

By: Percival Everett
Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman
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Publisher's Summary

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2024


From the author of The Trees, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Erasure, adapted into the Oscar-winning film American Fiction.

'Truly extraordinary books are rare, and this is one of them' – Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-winning author of Paddy Clarke, Ha Ha Ha


Enthralling and ferociously funny, James by Percival Everett is a profound meditation on identity, belonging and the sacrifices we make to protect the ones we love. It is also a bold reimagining of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as the enslaved Jim emerges to reclaim his voice and defy the conventions that have consigned him to the margins.

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 decides to hide on 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. Thus begins a dangerous and transcendent journey by raft 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.

With rumours of a brewing war, James must face the burden he carries: the family he is desperate to protect and the constant lie he must live. And together, the unlikely pair embark on the most dangerous, and life-changing, odyssey of them all . . .

'A towering achievement' – the 2024 Booker Prize judges

‘Who should read this book? Every single person in the country’ – Ann Patchett, bestselling author of Tom Lake

'Funny, wise, gracious; this may be Everett's best book yet' – Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

'Thrilling, bold and profound' – The Sunday Times

'This is the work of an American master at the peak of his powers' – Financial Times

'Magnificent . . . Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful ' – The New York Times

©2024 Percival Everett (P)2024 Penguin Random House LLC

What listeners say about James

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Characters were amazing,as was the narrator!!!

Loved all of it FANTASTIC BOOK!!!! Everyone in the world should read it but especially people from USA!!! Read it to your children!

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What is freedom

It did more than re imagine Tom and Huck it told the story of slavery with humor compassion and truth.

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Great Story and perspective

So good yo hear Jim's side of the story after reading Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn years ago.A good gripping yarn well told and read.

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Powerful

Powerful story , everyone would benefit from reading this book as a reminder of the past and what humans are capable of - both good and bad

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Powerful Story

What a read (listen)! This story parallels the original Adventures of Huckleberry Finn but through the eyes of James (Jim) the runaway slave.

It then departs into his own story against the backdrop of the imminent civil war.

This is an incredibly story I couldn’t stop listening to. The narration was beautifully done and does great justice to Percival Everett’s novel.

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Outstanding

Tough and heartbreaking story. But beautifully written and a slither of hope always. Loved the narration also.

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Brilliant

I continue to be astounded and delighted by the intelligent, amusing and insightful writings of this author. Indeed, will the “war” only be over when the winning side says it is? Keep writing and learning me up some, Master Everett.

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the river has many moods

I struggled at the start as slave stories are so brutal, I know that sounds weak and privileged but the reality is so awful, it is dreadful to absorb. But just as the river tides rose and fell, I went with the current, and rode the story to the end. it was an ending that left me elated,

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Extraordinary reflection on who tells the story

Brilliant performance! And excellent parallel story to Huckleberry Finn, re-imagined from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave. If I summed this story up in a few words I would say this reinforces the notion that we see what we want to see, and that's limited by our life experience. Timely and brilliant novel.

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Outstanding

Having never read Huckleberry Finn I only had a loose understanding of the story. I’m so glad I listened to this version first. Beautifully told, Gorgeously read. Heartbreaking and uplifting and warm and terrifying. James as a character will live with me for a very long time. His story needed to be told and it needed to be told by him. Percival Everett I will endeavour to read all you’ve written.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.