“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was one of the first books I remember reading and being assigned to read it with a critical, literary eye. I couldn’t understand why we needed to “read critically” but I was also a 16 year old who didn’t really read anything but her mom’s contraband romance novels, so. I now understand why putting a critical eye to what you read is important, and “James” was the other side of this story I remember wanting in high school. 

We follow Jim, who we learn prefers James, and his escape from slavery. His main goal is to make enough money to purchase his wife and children so he can take them to freedom. We see what happens when Huck isn’t in the picture, and we are given harsh glimpses of life for a runaway slave who is desperate to hide his education and evade capture. 

This should be required reading when reading Huck Finn, in order to see the juxtaposition between the privilege Huck enjoys, and the bravery it takes James to fight for his life and family.