"Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning writer Percival Everett did exactly that, though, while preparing to write his best-selling James. The critically acclaimed book reimagines Twain's iconic 1885 tale (britannica.com/topic/Adventures-of-Huckleberry-Finn-novel-by-Twain), creating a fascinating new story told from the perspective of Jim, the escaped-slave character who accompanies Huck Finn as they together try to flee social and familial violence to find freedom."
"Everett's book was greeted as a revelatory piece of literature and earned multiple awards and positions on Best Book of the Year lists after it was released in 2024. A distinguished professor of English at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and the author of previous well-received books (Dr. No, The Trees, Telephone and others), Everett is a highly sought public speaker (dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/percival-everett-wins-2025-pulitzer-prize-for-james)."
"The program began Sept. 2 and runs through Nov. 8. Physical copies are available at all Contra Costa library branches, and expanded access comes with options for e-book checkout or listening to the e-audiobook on Libby (ccclib.org/read-contra-costa). New this year are partnerships with Los Medanos College and the Richmond Public Library, the latter of which is Contra Costa's only independent library system."
Percival Everett reread Adventures of Huckleberry Finn repeatedly while preparing James, a reimagining that centers Jim, the escaped-slave companion of Huck Finn, as narrator. James reframes the 1885 tale to emphasize the characters' flight from social and familial violence toward freedom. The novel earned critical acclaim, multiple awards, and bestseller status after its 2024 release. Everett holds a distinguished professorship at the University of Southern California and has published several well-received books. Contra Costa County Libraries selected James for Read Contra Costa, running Sept. 2–Nov. 8, with physical and digital copies available, new partnerships, and an in-person Everett appearance at Los Medanos College.
Read at www.eastbaytimes.com
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