About the author
Percival Everett is an American novelist and professor whose work crosses satire, Westerns, crime, philosophy, and literary experiment. He repeatedly tests the categories placed on Black writers and the authority of the voices that claim to represent someone else.
The enslaved people in Everett's novel speak differently when white listeners are near. What appears to be ignorance is a practiced performance, and behind it are private arguments about language, philosophy, safety, and the uses of appearing harmless. Jim reads, writes, and measures every conversation for danger.
Where to start
Start with James. Jim takes back the story of his flight from slavery and his journey down the Mississippi with Huck Finn.
