by Percival Everitt, 2024, Audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman, Random House Audio

This book is based on the novel Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, but it is told from the perspective of Huck’s companion, the slave Jim. Jim is actually an educated person who poses as a simple Black slave in order to please the white people whenever he is in contact with them. The book suggests that this is a common behavior of slaves in those times.

The book follows closely to the events in Twain’s book with Jim (who decides he should be addressed as James) reflecting on his many interactions with white people. He maintains a very close relationship with Huck throughout the book.

I recommend listening to the audiobook version of this book as it highlights the difference in tone that Jim/James takes when he is conversing with other Blacks or white persons. Also, the narrator, Dominic Hoffman, does a great job.

I am somewhat skeptical that such a highly self-educated Black person would have even been possible in those circumstances, but it is a work of fiction which highlights the intelligence and grace of Jim as a human being.