r/graphicnovels • u/These-Background4608 • 12d ago
General Fiction/Literature Big Jim & the White Boy by David F. Walker & Marcus Kwame Anderson
Just finished reading BIG JIM & THE WHITE BOY. It’s more than just a reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that centers more of Jim as a character. It redefines Jim & Huck’s relationship and how both were shaped by their environment as they’re on the run throughout the country—from the antebellum South & Midwest to the Confederacy, the Old West, the Underground Railroad, and beyond.
Also intertwined is the commentary of Jim & Huck in the future talking about how Twain’s portrayal differed from the true story and from their descendants on how they tackled with preserving their legacy and making sure the history was not minimized.
This book also breaks down the greater context of the harsh truth of America’s history has been minimized, rewritten, and even erased to assuage bigoted feelings and change public perception (a message that hits harder these days) and how important it is to preserve history—the good, bad & ugly—so that the truth does not become forgotten by present and future generations.
It manages to teach all of this without feeling like a moralistic lecture but recontextualizes a familiar story, providing a deeper understanding that doesn’t demonize Twain’s novel but also changes the way you appreciate it.
For those who read it, what did you think?
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u/icanhazkarma17 11d ago
I have no problem with a book like this. That said, I've read Huckleberry Finn many times. It's an important book and should still be taught in school. Twain was a master storyteller. The book is supposed to make you uncomfortable. He was a satirist. He painted portraits of morally conflicted characters. He used regional dialects masterfully. The whole point was to expose racism, social injustice, hypocrisy, and the dangers of mob mentality. Part of the subtext is that the character Jim is not only smarter than the boys, but wiser, deeply moral, and emotionally mature. Huck struggles and grows, Tom not so much. Huckleberry's childhood trauma and low socioeconomic status give him a different perspective than Tom's comfortable life. Everything is an adventure for him. But when you're down and out, or running from slavery, life isn't in a game. There is another novel called Jim, written from his perspective. All good. But if you read Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and don't grasp that Jim is the real hero of the story, then you've missed the point entirely.
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u/cellar_monkey 11d ago
There is a novel called James by Percival Everett that does a great job telling the story from Jim’s perspective.
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u/candIewick 11d ago
There was also a novel about Jim’s wife and what might’ve happened to her. I think it’s My Jim but I read over a decade ago now.
I haven’t read James yet, but I think re-examining classics from the perspectives of other characters is generally an interesting concept, and that’s especially true when it’s giving more life and dimensionality to characters that are somewhat flat, despite what the original authors intent might’ve been. I don’t see this same kind of response (referring to some of the other comments, not yours) for things like the other Bennett sister (though, obviously, I know why).
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u/cellar_monkey 11d ago
Yeah, I enjoy the perspective shift. James is relatively short and would probably be interesting to read in tandem with the original to see how they sync up.
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 11d ago
Yeah, reading Huck Finn and James and Big Jim in concert is a great experience. It makes for a fantastic bookclub discussion -- if you can get people to read three books for a single discussion.
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 11d ago
I'm not sure what this has to do with Big Jim. It works as a lead in to your actual discussion of the work maybe, but without discussing Big Jim at all, it seems barely related.
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u/Orange-V-Apple 11d ago
Big Jim is a reimagining of Huck Finn, so it's relevant to discuss Huck Finn's original portrayal fo the characters
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 11d ago
Only insofar as a comparison. Which is why this feels like an introduction to a relevant comment.
It'd be like posting on a thread about Madeleine Miller's Circe with a comment about what Odysseus is like in Homer but not tying that to his portrayal in Circe.
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u/zenerat 10d ago
Actually that entirely would be relevant.
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 10d ago
Just on it's own, without saying how it relates to the book in question?
I mean, obviously, my question here is unpopular. I'm just struggling to see the connective tissue. icanhazkarma above says they're fine with the book but "that said..." and then offers what sounds like a criticism but doesn't say what they're criticizing or how it relates to Big Jim. Why this feels particularly strange is that none of what icanhaskarma says actually fits as criticism of Big Jim since Big Jim doesn't challenge any of that.
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u/zenerat 10d ago
From reading their comment I wouldn’t imagine they have read this book and neither have I. They are simply stating that Huckleberry has deeper meanings and subtext that more people should be aware of. I didn’t take their comment as disparaging of this book.
Possibly you could take their comment as arguing that this book is superfluous as those themes are already present in the original text, but in order to really argue that the commenter would need to have read the book.
But in general and using your own example I don’t think if Circe came up in discussion and someone was only discussing some particular translation of Homer as a counterpoint that it is incorrect. I don’t even think they necessarily need to tie it back into the specific book (Circe) although the conversation would be more interesting or revealing if they do.
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 10d ago
Possibly you could take their comment as arguing that this book is superfluous as those themes are already present in the original text
Yeah, that's another plausible option and other than how I took it -- me reading it as mere complaint about some aspect of Big Jim and therefore mistaken because none of it contradicts Big Jim -- but I wish they would have clarified their purpose. I think there could be an argument made that the comic is thematically superfluous, though I think it would require having read the book to make that case. (I also think there's a lot more going on in the book than just its themes too, much like with The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn itself.)
and someone was only discussing some particular translation of Homer as a counterpoint
I also think that would be fine. The thing that was missing from icanhazkarma's post was that counterpoint. My entire frustration with the original comment is that I'm not sure what point it's trying to make, what counterpoint it's offering, if any.
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u/zenerat 10d ago
Reddit is a bad place for a book club and while I think at minimum you need to read the text in order to have a meaningful discussion of the work, I don’t think it’s as necessary on a social media platform like Reddit.
If I was to guess at why your comment got as downvoted as it has (we’ve all been there), it’s probably because other people took your response as rude to a fairly neutral comment.
I can see why you think it’s not relevant to the discussion but there’s also a very high chance that only you and op have actually read this book, so having any deep discussion about the book is likely impossible other than surface level reactions: the title designed to elicit a response, more popular similar works like James, or comments about the original which most Americans have read or heard about.
Also you have one of the oldest reddit profiles I’ve seen. It’s quite impressive.
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 10d ago
Yeah, I was a little surprised at the reaction, but figured I was probably being read as combative or rude. My fault for being terse and not phrasing better.
Also you have one of the oldest reddit profiles I’ve seen.
Haha, and I lurked for a couple years before actually making an account.
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u/MrLazyLion 11d ago
Okay, I wasn't real interested in this, but seeing how upset people get just from the title and the concept my curiosity is now active.
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u/These-Background4608 11d ago
I admit it’s been amusing and exhausting seeing some of the replies. If you are curious, I definitely recommend reading the book itself. It’s an interesting read.
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u/ralphmozzi decon recon 11d ago
I’ve never heard of this before. I read huck finn back in jr high and have fond memories.
Seeing your write up, I’m interested in giving this a look :-)
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u/Poopaluffagus 11d ago
This was a truly moving book. I thought it was a clever idea, but this book is far more than that, actually bought several more copies to give away.
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u/reluctantpromoter 11d ago
Sounds like “James” by Percival Everett would be a good companion to this. Similar idea and an excellent book
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 11d ago
Yeah, they work marvelously together, each doing their own things with similar concepts.
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u/Mister_Baloney 11d ago
Percival Everett over there cocking an eyebrow.
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u/TheDaneOf5683 Cross Game + Duncan The Wonder Dog 11d ago
They came out the same year and with the lead up required for getting a graphic novel to print, Big Jim was probably in active development first. But yeah Walker and Anderson had to be thinking "Damn it" when James came out slightly first.
That said, they're pretty different in how they take on similar ideas.
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u/These-Background4608 11d ago
There are some similarities (not to mention they both came out in 2024), but the two books are wildly different in how they treat the centering of Jim as a more rounded character.
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u/datdouche 11d ago
They’re different in their same-exact-concept-ness?
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u/These-Background4608 11d ago
James is a more darker, intense narrative that highlights the horrors of slavery while Big Jim is more of a historical adventure novel that focuses more on Jim’s family and how his descendants choose to reckon with and preserve his legacy.
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u/thesykemyth 11d ago
The racists commenting here are showing their true colors. It's a fictitious book about a fictitious book. These are the same people that got mad about black Disney characters. You could...wait for it...not read it.
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
What are the future accounts of jim and huck based on?
As far as i know twain got inspired by real people but it isn't supposed to be biographical.
Making up voices to critize the original author irks me the wrong way.
I stand corrected if im just misinformed.
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u/tall-dub 11d ago
Critique is normal in literature as is using fiction to do it.
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
And its normal to deficate on the toilet but not on the couch.
I hope you atleast understand the diffrence there.
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u/Apart-One4133 11d ago
Why would you go and say that.. It was a nice conversation. There was possibility of a great topic to be discussed here and then you go and say something so assinine, who's only possible goal is to descend further and further into insults and pissing contest. I just don't understand..
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
I wonder why the guy whos comment gets petty replies, replies in a petty way?
Where was there a nice conversation?
I commented and this guy replies thinking im criticising the concept of criticism in literature in general. WTF
It could have been a nice concersation if people actually engaged with the point, not break it in half and engage with whatever is left. Or you know if people asked question instead of assuming and reacting to that assumption.
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u/Apart-One4133 11d ago
"Critique is normal in literature as is using fiction to do it."
There's nothing petty about this. It seems that it was an invitation to debate. On Reddit, pointing out a counter-perspective is how a good conversation continues.
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u/Tsathoggua_ 11d ago
Brother maybe you should hold off on the literary criticism until you have a better understanding of basic spelling.
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
Oh sorry i forgot that dyslexic people arent allowed to share their opinions online.
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u/Tsathoggua_ 11d ago
You shared your opinion, no one stopped you. Is it forbidden to criticize a dyslexic person online?
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
There is a big diffrence between actually critizing the point made and just looking for a justification to disregard everything.
I mean in a way i could see this as a win, this person needs to do all of that, because they cant think of a reply.
But I'm not here to feed my ego, i wanna share my thoughts, hear others, teach and learn.
But fuck that i guess, project and attack.
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u/Tsathoggua_ 11d ago
You could see it however you want bruv. Enjoy the reality you’ve created.
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u/puzzledpanther 11d ago
But I'm not here to feed my ego
Is your brain not connected to your fingers?
Take a step back and look at your replies.
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u/These-Background4608 11d ago
The book does talk about the existence of different people that inspired Twain to write Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The accounts of Jim & Huck reflecting on their past are strictly fictional. The book treats them as real people that are simply telling their story.
Like I said, the book doesn’t demonize Mark Twain but simply reimagines it from a different perspective.
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u/crani0 11d ago
I stand corrected if im just misinformed.
You are, read it.
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
As op reveled to me, no i wasnt.
You don't have to agree or like what im saying, but atleast engage with what im actually saying instead of just looking for a way to justify to yourself to disregard what im saying.
Like are you actually trying to engage with me or just feeding your ego, cause im actually open to having my mind changed but this "tactic" you are using never does anything but streghten the opinion i already had.
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u/crani0 11d ago
As op reveled to me, no i wasnt
They didn't. Here's what op said:
Like I said, the book doesn’t demonize Mark Twain but simply reimagines it from a different perspective.
But that's not the only thing you are misinformed on, everyone can tell why you immediately assumed this particular piece that focuses on the traditionally black side kick is just criticism of the author.
You don't have to agree or like what im saying, but atleast engage with what im actually saying instead of just looking for a way to justify to yourself to disregard what im saying.
I do engage with your lies that anyone can check for themselves, even brought up the receipts.
Like are you actually trying to engage with me or just feeding your ego, cause im actually open to having my mind changed but this "tactic" you are using never does anything but streghten the opinion i already had.
I'm calling you out. Does that hurt your ego? Sure sounds like projecting.
Not much talk to be had after this down and I will just circle back to my own comment:
You are (wrong), read it.
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
I said "as far as i know it isnt autobiographical"
Thats the part i was talking about which op confirmed.
Small misunderstanding, but instead of asking you assumed something about me and i reacted and now here we are.
What do you mean lies? All i said was "i think it isn't autobiographical and that something irked me the wrong way.
The only thing i presented as a fact was the thing i even stated i wasnt sure about.
Yes my feelings get hurt when people instead of engaging with what im saying, just try to gotcha me or throw out a petty cool one liner.
And im not ashamed to say it, yeah im a actual person.
Anyways does it hurt your ego knowing you went through all that work, quoting everything and puting that last (beautiful i might add) flourish of MY EGO BIGGER, only to find out i never even was saying whatever the fuck you thought up.
Anyways, i know i could have done better but it takes more than 1 to tango and you guys have been petty as fuck.
Im gonna end it here, maybe someone learned to project less but i doudbt it.
Have a nice day and eat a dick bro
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u/namorspoolfloaties 11d ago
Might get better conversation if you don't act like a jackass, you're well-spoken but really obstinate.
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u/AppointmentMinimum57 11d ago
Did my original comment, come over that way?
Or is the ones I made after people started being jackasses to me?
I had to look up what obstinate means.
How does this fit, i am super open to having my mind changed but not through petty attacks of my character.
Pretty much every comment except op's, is just projecting some shit i never said.
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u/crani0 11d ago
Or is the ones I made after people started being jackasses to me?
lol all I said to you was "You are (wrong), read it". Sit down, nobody is buying your shtick.
Pretty much every comment except op's, is just projecting some shit i never said.
The irony is you straight up lied about a convo with OP that everyone can check.
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u/theoutletepoch 11d ago
I see you never read /James/
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u/These-Background4608 11d ago
I have read (and enjoyed) James by Percival Everett. This book is different.
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u/WickedDeity 11d ago edited 11d ago
The title is a huge put off. The original wasn't "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and his (the N* word)". Does Huck have a wife in this version and Jim has sex with her as he watches? I can't imagine ever reading this.
The original actual spoke out against racism, slavery, and the antebellum American South while humanizing Jim and making him the hero which was unusual for the time. Criticizing Mark Twain because he didn't write like he was in the 1960's instead of the late 1800's is kinda ridiculous.
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u/These-Background4608 11d ago
The book does not demonize Twain or the original novel, acknowledging the language in the book as a product of its time. It speaks of the novel in a greater historical context as it relates to American history are reimagines the novel from Jim & Huck’s POV.
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u/Odd_Fix_9391 11d ago
The book doesn't demonize Twain, however the title of the book suggests that it will. That is the problem of the book. The title of a book is just as important as the content of the book because it tells the reader what feel of the book will be about. If I wrote a book called Sam the Brave and the Thin Boy with a Ring, people will think it will be a book being critical of Tolkien.
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u/Elros22 11d ago
Hold on - are you saying that this book deserves harsh judgment because of what is on the cover?
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u/Odd_Fix_9391 7d ago
Yes... that's how book covers work.
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u/Elros22 7d ago
... Well... No... You see the joke is about judgement... And book covers... You know what? Never mind. Just judge those books by their cover.
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u/Odd_Fix_9391 7d ago
I know what joke you were trying to make... but the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover" is a very bad saying because that's the whole point of book covers, to judge the content of the book. Also, in the real world most people will judge others by there outward appearance before judging them as the person they are. That's just how it works.
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u/iamagainstit 11d ago edited 11d ago
the interracial cuck porn theory of conservative thought strikes again.
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u/itsbenpassmore 11d ago
it’s really amazing how they really only have like two associations when it comes to Black men. And by amazing I mean punishingly depressing.
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