Should you read Huckleberry Finn before James by Percival Everett?

[@MagpieMelon]

Thank you for your insight! I was having trouble deciding what to do as I’ve never ready Huckleberry Finn before. I think I’ll read it and then give myself some time as you talked about!

[@leekathyw]

This book should be required reading for all Americans. Thank you for your review!!!!

[@literarylayer]

@@leekathyw I agree and thanks for watching!

[@CurtisBowden]

As someone who never read AoHF but knew the plot, I found James to stand on its own. I just finished James and NOW I’m reading AoHF, and I find myself enjoying it AND wanting to read James again. Anyway you slice it, they’re both classics. I think they will be studied together for generations.

[@literarylayer]

@@CurtisBowden I’d have to agree that James stands on its own and both will be studied together as classics from different perspectives

[@marilynsue4273]

I read Huck Finn in 4th grade. I read "James" last year. No need to re-read Huck Finn. I trace my entire subsequent reading experience to the fact that I read Huck Finn before Tom Sawyer.

[@jaynehunter-ar]

I'm so glad to hear your thoughts about this. I remembered absolutely nothing about Huckleberry Finn from reading it as a kid, so I read it recently to have the story fresh in my mind. I think I've had enough of a break in between and I'll probably start James later this week. Great video!

[@literarylayer]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy it

[@TerryJ950]

I just finished reading James, and as someone who never read the original, I definitely think it stands well on its own. I had debated about reading Huckleberry first, but my requested library copy of James came in before I had the chance. I love how intelligent James was depicted in the book - it was a great read and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. Definitely want to read more of Percival Everett.

[@literarylayer]

I agree, it definitely stands well on its own. This was my first time reading Everett. Many say that his book “The Trees” is another good one.

[@edwinmarcelin5373]

Thank you Scholar! Peace

[@literarylayer]

@@edwinmarcelin5373 thanks for watching!

[@patriciafay-f9l]

I definitely want to read both but agree that leaving some time between them makes sense. I appreciate your take on this

[@literarylayer]

I hope that you enjoy them and I’m glad that you found this to be helpful

[@LizsReadingCorner-]

I haven't read either of these, I'll be adding them to my tbr now that you've piqued my interest 🙂 I can relate to reading sequels or a series too close together, it can become too much especially if you're not liking or not interested in some of the characters.

[@literarylayer]

@@LizsReadingCorner- I can’t say that I’d recommend Huck Finn. It’s very racist but I guess that’s to be expected during that time period with the story he was trying to tell. There were portions of it that were good though. Depends on what you’re comfortable with. James was definitely worth the read and I would’ve preferred to hear more about him in the book.

[@LizsReadingCorner-]

@@literarylayer yeah I think it's a prominent problem with most stories that I've read from that time period, there's a lot of racism in them unfortunately 😒I'll still add both so I can see what you're talking about 🙂

[@literarylayer]

Looking forward to hearing what you think about them

[@kurtfox4944]

While _James_ could stand on its own, I think you get a lot more if you read AoHF first. Mostly, because most of the humor is how the situations are told differently. A lot of AoHF is imagined heroics of a teenager envisioning himself as something special as opposed to an adult who sees the reality of the situation. That first paragraph sets the tone for the book, and if you haven't read AoHF, you won't understand that tone. The contrast of the situations is what makes it a bit more enlightening. Without having read AoHF, I don't think you get that full impact.

[@literarylayer]

@@kurtfox4944 I want to go back and read the first paragraph now because I don’t remember it. Thank you for bringing that up. I agree that you won’t get the full impact without reading Huck Finn first

[@TangibleReads]

I hate ignorant portrayal of enslaved blacks. I can understand dumbing down language for protection. May need to checkout James. Percival Everett knows how to pin a good story.

[@literarylayer]

I can’t stand it either. This was my first Percival Everett. Need to check out more from him.

[@TangibleReads]

@@literarylayer I read The Trees. Really good

[@literarylayer]

@@TangibleReads I keep hearing about that one. That will likely be what I read next from him