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Percival Everett, the author of “Erasure” (the basis of the Oscar-winning film “American Fiction”), returns with a comic novel, “James” (Doubleday), that retells Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” through the eyes of Huck’s enslaved friend, Jim.

Read an excerpt below. 

“James” by Percival Everett

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The children were concealed in the tall grass. While the moon was not completely full, it was still bright and provided enough light for me to see them clearly even in the darkness of night. The lightning bugs illuminated the dark sky. I stood by Miss Watson’s kitchen door, tapping my foot on a loose step board, anticipating her request for me to fix it the following day. I was there to receive a pan of corn bread that she had prepared using my Sadie’s recipe. As a slave, waiting was a significant aspect of my life – waiting for orders, waiting for meals, waiting for the day to end, and ultimately, waiting for the promised Christian reward at the end.

The boys, Huck and Tom, observed me while playing a make-believe game where I was either the bad guy or the target, but definitely their plaything. Despite being surrounded by pests like chiggers, mosquitoes, and other annoying bugs, they never made any real effort to reach me. Knowing it’s best to appease white individuals, I walked into the yard and yelled into the darkness.

“Who is that over there in the dark like that?”

The boys fumbled and laughed as they moved around. They were unable to approach a blind and deaf person, even with a band playing. I would rather spend my time counting lightning bugs than deal with them.

“I think I’ll just sit down on this porch and keep an eye out for that noise again. Who knows, there might be some old demon or witch lurking around. I’ll stay right here where it’s safe.” I took a seat on the porch steps and rested against the pillar. Feeling exhausted, I decided to close my eyes for a bit.

The boys eagerly whispered back and forth, their words ringing in my ears like a church bell.

Huck inquired, “Has he already fallen asleep?”

“I think so. I heard people can fall asleep instantly,” Tom said and snapped his fingers.

“Shhhh,” Huck said.

“I suggest we restrain him,” Tom suggested. “We can tie him to the porch post he’s leaning against.”

Huck replied, “But, what if he wakes up and causes a disturbance? I might get caught for not being in bed as I should be.”

“Alright. However, you know what? I require some candles. I plan on sneaking into Miss Watson’s kitchen to obtain some.”

“What if you wake Jim?”

I have no intention of disturbing anyone’s sleep. Even thunder is unable to wake up a sleeping person. Are you not aware? Both thunder and lightning, as well as loud lions, have no effect. I have heard stories of someone who slept through an earthquake.

“What do you think an earthquake feels like?” Huck inquired.

“Similar to the feeling when your parent wakes you up in the middle of the night.”

This passage is taken from the book “James” by Percival Everett, published in 2024 by Doubleday, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House, LLC. It is only to be used with permission from the publisher and cannot be reproduced or reprinted without written consent.

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The novel “James” written by Percival Everett.

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• The novel “James” by Percival Everett is available in various forms, including Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio formats from Doubleday.

Also by Percival Everett:

Source: cbsnews.com