Literary Fiction Feature: James by Percival Everett
Retellings and reimaginings of myths, fairytales, and classic novels come in all shapes and sizes. Some take only small elements from the original text, while others try to stay true to the original, but with an added twist or a modern element. Percival Everett chose to write his retelling of a classic through the eyes of a secondary character. Read the book before it hits the big screen as a Steven Spielberg production!
James by Percival Everett
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER
NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST - ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR - SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE - KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER
About The Book: 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.
Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a "literary icon" (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.
Reading Guide for James by Percival Everett
The Perfect pairings!
Mark Twain set Huckleberry Finn in his home state of Missouri, so why not try out the state’s vibrant signature cocktail. For those who enjoy something a bit more laid back, try a southern sweet tea inspired mocktail.
Cocktail Pairing: Golden Glow
| 1.5 oz. | Bourbon |
| .75 oz. | Lemon Juice |
| 1 oz. | Honey |
| Garnish - Lemon Peel | |
| Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup to the shaker. Shake well until chilled. Strain the mixture into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. Enjoy! | |
Mocktail Pairing: Tea-Tini Mocktail
| Ice | |
| 6 oz. | Unsweet Tea |
| 3-4 oz. | Lemon Simple Syrup |
| 1 strip | Lemon Zest |
| 1 cup | Sugar |
| 1 | Fresh Lemon (squeezed) |
| |
Take your own trip up and down the Mississippi river without leaving your kitchen as you cook up some of the delicious foods found along its shores.
Twain's Feast: Searching for America's Lost Foods in the Footsteps of Samuel Clemens
by Andrew Beahrs
"In this savory feast of ideas, Andrew Beahrs employs his curiosity and wit to reconstitute Twain's original literary ingredients into an American meal that is both delicious and elucidating." -- Nick Offerman
One young food writer's search for America's lost wild foods, from New Orleans croakers to Illinois prairie hens, with Mark Twain as his guide.
Mississippi Current Cookbook: A Culinary Journey Down America's Greatest River
by Regina Charboneau - Julia Reed - Ben Fink - Harriet Bell
Discover the diverse food and culinary traditions from the ten states that border America's most important river--and the heart of American cuisine--with 200 contemporary recipes for 30 meals and celebrations, and more than 150 stunning photographs.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain - Mint Editions
Let's continue our journey with Hucklebery Finn in our reading guide for James with the classic -The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Which of course it follows a young boy who goes by the name "Huck." Raised under the roof of his drunken father while fearing for his life, Huck escapes and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
Mark Twain
by Ron Chernow
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow illuminates the full, fascinating, and complex life of the writer long celebrated as the father of American literature, Mark Twain
Before he was Mark Twain, he was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Born in 1835, the man who would become America's first, and most influential, literary celebrity spent his childhood dreaming of piloting steamboats on the Mississippi.
As you turn the final page of James by Percival Everett, take a moment to let the story settle—its adventures, it's deeper meanings, and the giggles to reside. Whether you’re sipping a midwestern cocktail, trying your hand at a new recipe, or exploring some classic or nonfiction book, these pairings create an immersive experience beyond the book.
We hope you enjoyed the Reading Guide for James! Share your thoughts, photos, and favorite moments in the comments or on social media using #PageAndPairing. Until next time, happy reading—and happy pairing! Cheers!