Aquest gener algunes
persones del CdL A d’anglès s’han trobat a la Biblioteca per comentar “James” by Percival Everett. Ens han fet arribar la següent ressenya:
"On January 9th
the book club in English met to discuss James by Percival Everett. In
this novel, Everett retells Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s point of view,
turning a background character into an unforgettable lead. The book explores
slavery, survival, and racism, showing how brutal and absurd the system was.
Although having previously read Huckleberry Finn gives the reader an
extra layer of meaning, it also stands strongly on its own.
One of the
discussion points was Everett’s intention as an author. He has said that James
is meant to be in conversation with Twain’s book rather than trying to
“correct” it. He engages with the original text, echoes it, and challenges it,
without dismissing it outright. This approach allows readers to rethink a
familiar story from a different starting point.
We also talked
about the power of reading and language as forms of resistance through the book.
In the novel, literacy becomes something dangerous and subversive: the ability
to read, think critically, and understand the world gives James power in a
society designed to deny him any. In this sense, reading becomes a tool for
quiet rebellion.
Finally, the
group reflected on the American Civil War, during which the action of the book
takes place. While it is often taught as a moral crusade to end slavery, the
discussion highlighted the historical reality – also expressed in the novel –
that freeing enslaved people was not the primary goal for many involved and
often became a secondary outcome rather than the central cause of the war. This
perspective sparked conversation about historical narratives and how
enslavement is often simplified or sidelined in the way it is taught in schools
today.
Lluïsa
Pardàs"
Des d’aquest
raconet els volem agrair les seves aportacions. Aprofitem per dir-vos que si
algu hi interessat/da posi en contacte amb la Biblioteca.
