Although I was intrigued by the subject of this book, I was very disappointed in its accomplishment. It could have been a fascinating extension of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but instead it was a reinvention of the original intent of that story. I don’t think that Mark Twain would have been impressed. In the original version, the ending had Jim a free man because of the terms of his deceased “owner’s” will. Here, this never happens which totally shifts the trajectory of the story.
Jim’s fascination with Voltaire and his erudite thought and diction were just not believable for me. He could have been portrayed as a smart, literate, moral, and kind man without going over the top.
I also found Huck’s parentage story contrived. If Everett had to have that as a big reveal, then I needed to have more background and explanation.
There was a lot of trauma and a vivid scene of sexual violation that just wasn’t necessary to flesh out James’ character and his humanity.
In short, this book was poorly executed and simply promoted because of it’s present day political relevance.