In a truly unique reimagining of the classic tale by Mark Twain, this story relates some of the same events and characters of the original, but through the voice of Jim (or James as he later refers to himself). Unlike the unfair original portrayal of the slave, James is insightful and intelligent, his inner thoughts about the books he's read and his philosophical ruminations sometimes beyond my own understanding. Yet he still takes on a mask in front of the white people, adopting the barely intelligible "slave dialect" they've come to expect. The float down the river with Huck as seen through Jim's eyes is more a journey of terror of being caught than an adventure. This thought provoking portrayal is sure to become an instant classic of its own.
Thanks to Doubleday Books through Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.
No comments:
Post a Comment