James

'Truly extraordinary books are rare, and this is one of them' – Roddy Doyle

Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize
Finalist for the Orwell Prize for Fiction

James is a profound and ferociously funny literary reimagining from one of our greatest living writers, Percival Everett.

The Mississippi River, 1861. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new owner in New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter forever, he flees to nearby Jackson’s Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father who recently returned to town.

So begins a dangerous and transcendent journey along the Mississippi River, towards the elusive promise of the free states and beyond. As James and Huck navigate the treacherous waters, each bend in the river holds the promise of both salvation and demise. And together, the unlikely pair embark on the most life-changing odyssey of them all . . .

‘Who should read this book? Every single person in the country’ – Ann Patchett

'A towering achievement' – The 2024 Booker Prize judges

'This may be Everett's best book yet' – Bonnie Garmus

'Scorchingly funny' – The Sunday Times, 'Books of the Year'

'A canon-shatteringly great book' – Hernan Diaz

'Playful and viciously comic' – The Telegraph, 'Books of the Year'