My first Percival Everett and won't be my last. Beautifully and heartbreakingly written and a story told with humour, grace whilst not shying away from the horrors of slavery and life in the South in the build-up to the Civil War.

I hate Mark Twain's writing and have picked up put down both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn so I'm pleased now to have this story - a retelling essentially of Huck Finn from Jim's perspective. This gave me everything I need - a historical narrative with modern perspective, holding up a mirror to current attitudes and actions. 

"When does the war end?" I asked.
"Does it end? That's the question. Who gets to say it's over. A war continues until the victor says it's over."