Percival Everett: James, 978038550888, c format paperback, Doubleday, US

Just finished "James"  by Percival Everett and with the backdrop of the  US elections, it gives this extraordinary, powerful novel even more of an emphasis. 

 WOW! I am still trying to process this masterpiece. A fast, easy literary read which stands in stark contrast to the seriousness of the subject,  the storytelling even funny at times and yet the horrors of slavery always present.  Only now do I feel that through the narration by James, the runaway slave and friend of Tom Sawyer and especially Huck Finn, a tale started by Twain and one of my teenage favorites,  the picture is complete.  

Everett's idea of having the slaves only speaking Patois when a white person is around but conversing in normal English amongst themselves,  felt humorous but always highlighted the whole absurdity of the situation.  

I  loved this book, Jim's ordeal hard to fathoms at times but I know enough about US history that his story was that of many slaves.  I wonder whether "James" will win the Booker prize,  definitely has my vote.