Award-winning author Percival Everett will visit UC Santa Cruz on May 4 to engage in a thought-provoking discussion about his 2024 National Book Award-winning novel, James. The event will take place at the Quarry Amphitheater and will be moderated by Professor Vilashini Cooppan as part of The Humanities Institute’s Deep Read series.
James offers a bold reimagining of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, told from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck on his journey down the Mississippi River. This year, a global community of 10,000 Deep Read participants, including many from Santa Cruz, are exploring James through a variety of free public programs. These include an email series, undergraduate courses, and discussions across multiple disciplines, culminating in the May 4 event with Everett.
Ahead of his visit, Everett sat down for an interview in which he reflected on the process of writing James, the challenges of adapting it into a film, and his belief in the power of art, even in an era where reading is reportedly in decline.
Addressing a recent NPR report suggesting that Americans are reading fewer books, Everett responded, “It’s crazy, since there are so many more of us. They’re not calculating the figures per capita. If I can write a novel that challenges TikTok, maybe we have a chance.”
Known for his genre-defying fiction, Everett has long had a loyal following. His novel Erasure, which was adapted into the satirical film American Fiction, brought him wider recognition. Now, with over 30 books to his name, he finds himself experiencing the success of a national bestseller.
“It’s great that people are interested in the book,” Everett remarked. “But my interest in it was gone as soon as I finished. People point out things I hadn’t considered, which is why I write… but I’m thoroughly sick of James.”
Despite his self-effacing attitude toward the book’s success, Everett acknowledges its unique impact. Unlike his earlier, more avant-garde works, James has resonated with a broad and diverse audience, including older white readers. “Every day, I get letters from people identifying themselves as ‘I’m a white woman. Eighty years old!’ It’s very sweet,” he said.
Writing in Twain’s Shadow
Creating James required Everett to navigate the complex legacy of Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, a novel he sees as both foundational and flawed. “Twain abandoned the work for several years in the middle, and you can almost see the shift,” Everett noted. He criticized the novel’s later sections, particularly the reintroduction of Tom Sawyer, as a “mercenary move” driven by Twain’s financial struggles.
Although he recognizes Huckleberry Finn’s significance, Everett is critical of its portrayal of Jim. “Twain’s depiction of Jim is stereotypic—superstitious, simple-minded. I wanted to explore his role as a father figure to Huck, something Twain introduces but never fully develops.”
For Everett, James is an opportunity to humanize Jim, presenting him with emotional depth and intelligence. The novel delves into themes of fatherhood and survival, addressing the challenges faced by Black individuals during and after Reconstruction.
Censorship and the Power of Reading
Everett also discussed contemporary issues of censorship and its impact on literature. “The first thing fascists do is go after books and art,” he said, emphasizing that reading is one of the most subversive acts we can engage in. His stance on censorship, particularly in places like Florida, where book bans are prevalent, underscores his belief in the enduring power of literature to challenge oppressive systems.
“The act of learning how to read could get you killed,” Everett remarked, pointing to the danger of acquiring knowledge under repressive regimes.
The Deep Read as Defiance
Everett sees programs like The Deep Read as acts of defiance in a time when intellectual inquiry is under siege. “It’s terrific,” he said of the program. “We’re not a reading culture. We have to keep that in perspective. I wish we were more of one.”
Humanities Dean Jasmine Alinder highlighted the timeliness of Everett’s appearance at UC Santa Cruz, particularly in light of ongoing efforts to censor books. “At a time when books are being banned and intellectual inquiry is under attack, The Deep Read offers a necessary space for reflection, resistance, and radical empathy,” she said.
Alinder emphasized the importance of Everett’s novel in challenging readers to see Jim—who was reduced to a mere caricature in Twain’s work—as a fully realized character. “Reading James is not just an act of learning; it’s an act of defiance, of compassion, of deep connection,” she added.
Looking Ahead
As Everett continues to experience the success of James, he is also working on the screenplay for the forthcoming film adaptation. While he maintains a flexible attitude toward the film’s interpretation, he remains committed to his literary pursuits. “It’s not the same as writing a novel,” he said of the film. “It’s a collaborative process, and I’m open to seeing how it evolves.”
Looking ahead, Everett remains focused on creating works that push the boundaries of abstraction. “I’m still trying to make an abstract work,” he said. “I’ve never seen it. I don’t know what it would look like.”
Everett’s belief in the transformative power of art remains strong, despite the current challenges facing the literary world. “If I didn’t have that reason, I wouldn’t be making art at all,” he said. “Art has the potential to create better people and, in turn, a better society.”
As the literary landscape continues to shift, Everett’s upcoming appearance at UC Santa Cruz promises to offer insights into the intersection of literature, politics, and social change.
