2026 01 CdL A Anglès “James” by Percival Everett

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 9^th 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.