Author Percival L. Everett is the 2024 winner of The National Book Award for Fiction for his novel James. James is a reimagining of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, focusing on the central character Jim. The novel delves deeply into Jim's perspective, with an emphasis on his intelligence and compassion, while maintaining the historic journey down the Mississippi River. Everett's portrayal highlights Jim's resilience and humanity while reframing a classic American story through the lens of a character historically marginalized in literature.
Percival L. Everett is a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California. With James, he not only honors Twain's legacy but also reshapes it for modern audiences, making it an important read for anyone seeking a fresh insight into American history and identity.
Some of Everett's other works include, The Water Cure, Erasure, Dr. No, The Trees, and So Much Blue. To read more about the National Book Awards, click here.