Huckleberry Finn and James: Contrasting Narratives

About this course:

Ernest Hemingway said, "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn." Written after the Civil War but set shortly before it, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the first book we read.  We learn about the context in which Twain wrote it, including the history and laws governing slavery during that time. We then read Percival Everett's recently published James, a ground-breaking retelling of Huckleberry Finn. While it would be possible to enjoy James without knowing the original, its power derives from its engagement with Twain's book. Suggested books: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Penguin Classics; Reissue edition; ISBN# 978-0143107323)  and the 2024 novel, James.