Tall Tales from Kansas

James by Percival Everett is my latest finish on the libby app. It’s been on my list for a bit. I read Tom Sawyer, and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn many, many, years ago. This story has me considering a re-read of the Huckleberry Finn tale. I do not recall in any detail exactly what happened in that book. Nor do I remember Jim and the relationship he had with Huck. This is the story of James as he tries to reunite with his family and escape the life of a slave. He encounters much along the way.

This was a hard book to listen to at times. The experiences of being a slave, whether a historically accurate representation, or a fictionalized account, are difficult. I have no memory of the way we were educated about this when I was a child. Maybe differently than todays students of American History are? Well, I will just say I think I should know more. I should have asked more questions back then. The part of this book with white minstrels in black face performing songs as slaves was one of the hard parts… it now has me wanting to read Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment. To know better is to do better.

I recommend James. It warrants your attention.