This area is for any discussion about the August 2024 Emancipation and Empowerment selection, James, before we begin reading it.
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A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view.
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.
A gentle comment. Percival Everett has been writing for a long time - is a university professor. It is only recently that many of us have found him. His works always have satire - so look for when he is "pulling your leg." Wonderful writing - smooth. Enjoy. peace, janz
Dear Squire - just like some elections, I am hesitant to believe the Goodreads ratings - even more so the Amazon ratings. The thing to do is rate your belief - then when the dust settles, go back and read a sample of the views. Sometimes opens my eyes to things I missed or overrated. I am going to rewrite my review of Hillbilly Elegy - my review is single focused and I need to write an accurate review. But reviews of Hillbilly are prohibited, the site is locked up. Wonder why? Has the situation changed in 3-4 years? or has the political situation for the author changed? peace, janz
Squire - someone should have told you that Percival Everett always uses satire. Did you realize that? In all his books, always. Often overstated. peace, janz
Didn't notice anything satirical about the book. And the book jacket blurbs don't mention anything about satire. Maybe I went into it with too high of expectations. Oh well, I've moved on.
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A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view.
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.