The New Yorker Radio Hour: Percival Everett’s “James” Wins a Pulitzer
Host: David Remnick
Guest: Percival Everett
Staff Writer: Julian Lucas
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Introduction
On the May 13, 2025 episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour, host David Remnick engages in a profound conversation with author Percival Everett. Everett, a highly respected yet niche novelist, recently achieved significant acclaim when his 24th novel, James and James Just Blew Up, garnered both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Staff writer Julian Lucas, an avid reader of Everett's work, facilitates the discussion, delving into the intricacies of Everett's literary endeavors, particularly his latest Pulitzer-winning novel.
Percival Everett’s Literary Journey
Julian Lucas opens the dialogue by highlighting Everett’s dedication to exploring complex themes within his novels. He references Everett's previous works, such as I Am Not Sidney Poitier and Erasure, emphasizing Everett's method of using fictional narratives to challenge publishing industry stereotypes and societal prejudices.
"To read Percival Everett is always to grapple with the prejudices and the assumptions and the acts of imagination that we have to make in communicating with one another through fiction and through art."
— Julian Lucas [00:42]
Reimagining Huckleberry Finn
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Everett's reinterpretation of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through his novel James. Everett explores the character of Jim from a more nuanced and humanized perspective, diverging from Twain's portrayal.
Julian Lucas remarks on the impactful opening of Everett’s novel, noting the deliberate choice to name the character "James" instead of "Jim," which signifies a deeper and more respectful representation.
"I love how the title, because in Twain we know this character as Jim, or, you know, sometimes as more derogatory epithets, but immediately he's announced as James."
— Julian Lucas [01:34]
Everett shares his creative process, revealing that he read Huckleberry Finn repeatedly until it became almost nonsensical to ensure his own voice and interpretation emerged organically rather than merely replicating Twain’s narrative.
"The first thing I did to start this was I read Huckleberry Finn 15 times in a row, and I would stop and just go right back to the beginning. Until it became a blur, until it … I needed it to become nonsense because I didn't want to merely regurgitate scenes. I needed to own the material."
— Percival Everett [04:02]
Themes of Language and Communication
Everett, with a background in the philosophy of language, delves into how slavery historically shaped communication among the oppressed. He critiques the portrayal of enslaved individuals in media, specifically referencing the film 12 Years a Slave for its unrealistic depiction of slaves understanding each other's language.
"People who are oppressed find a way to talk to each other that does not allow their oppressors to understand what they are saying."
— Percival Everett [06:43]
The discussion highlights Everett's focus on language miscommunication as a tool to explore deeper societal issues, emphasizing how enslaved people used language creatively to assert their humanity and resilience.
Humor as a Literary Device
Everett’s use of humor, even in dark narratives, is another focal point. While his novel The Trees serves as a dark satire on the legacy of lynching in the U.S., Everett employs humor not as traditional jokes but as irony embedded in the human condition.
"I don't know how to be funny. If I try to write funny, I think I fail again. The lessons I've learned from Twain is that humor exists in the irony of the situation."
— Percival Everett [08:40]
This approach allows Everett to address heavy themes while providing a layer of complexity and relatability to his characters and their experiences.
Cultural Relevance and Contemporary Resonance
Julian Lucas draws parallels between the themes in James and current social dynamics, particularly in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. Everett acknowledges the progress made in the literary world for African American writers but also points out the persistent issues of racial stereotypes in media.
"We have more [African American writers], but we haven't gotten rid of this baggage."
— Percival Everett [12:57]
He expresses frustration with the continued portrayal of African Americans in stereotypical roles, emphasizing that while representation has improved, underlying prejudices remain entrenched in societal narratives.
Reevaluating Huck Finn’s Legacy
The conversation also touches on the controversial legacy of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Everett discusses the dichotomy of the novel being both celebrated by African American writers and criticized by those advocating for the removal of racially charged language.
"It's all about intention and meaning. It behooves fascists to ban it because there is a proper and direct and interrogation of what it's like to live in a world where slavery is brilliant."
— Percival Everett [18:43]
Everett argues that the novel offers a critical exploration of American character and historical contradictions, making it a vital, albeit contentious, piece of literature that reflects the persistent complexities of race relations in the United States.
Conclusion
Percival Everett's James and James Just Blew Up not only secures a Pulitzer Prize but also ignites meaningful conversations about race, language, and the enduring impact of historical narratives. Through his meticulous reimagining of classic literature and his commitment to addressing societal issues with nuanced humor, Everett continues to solidify his place as a pivotal voice in contemporary American fiction.
"It's an American story. And that honest depiction is probably what scares some people."
— Percival Everett [19:52]
David Remnick wraps up the episode by acknowledging Everett’s significant contributions to literature and the ongoing relevance of his work in today’s cultural landscape.
This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of Percival Everett’s literary philosophy and the profound implications of his Pulitzer-winning novel. For those unfamiliar with Everett’s work, this discussion provides valuable insights into his unique approach to storytelling and his unwavering dedication to challenging and reshaping American literary traditions.