How is it that Percival Everett escaped my vigilant reading radar until recently? What recent reading discovery of yours compares to my astonishment with this man's talent?
Soon after recovering from the experience of reading Erasure (2001) some weeks back, I made sure to do some basic research on Everett. I'm still unsure why I didn't do this soon after being blown away by James (2024) last fall. Erasure is wildly dissimilar in style, subject matter, and setting, but an equal to James in scope and skill. And whenever back-to-back books by someone new to me have an effect this profound, I'm compelled to know about the author.
Prior to Erasure, Everett published eleven novels, beginning in 1983. Then he published eleven more in between that earlier gem and James. Add to that at least four books of short stories, six volumes of poetry, a children's book, and more. How did I miss an author this talented and prolific for this long? Considering the number of books released each year, I suppose I should be satisfied knowing a small fraction of the names of published authors. Still, now that I am aware of Everett, some serious catch-up is on the way.
If you saw American Fiction - a 2023 Academy Award Nominee for best picture - you've already had your first taste of Everett's gift. That excellent, provocative film is based on Erasure and the screenplay closely adheres to the novel. I had some trouble dislodging Jeffrey Wright's expressive face from my mind's eye while reading, especially because Wright portrayed Thelonious "Monk" Ellison in the movie. Monk is both protagonist and first-person voice in Erasure. But "seeing" Wright as I read did not interfere with my immersion in Monk's plight. If you've read more Everett than I - not a tall order - I'm interested to know what you'd recommend I tackle next. I'm a little chastened to admit not one book from his robust catalog rings even a faint bell for me. What gives?
I too had not heard of Percival Everett before reading James last year. So, you aren't alone. I (as you) have a long list of "to read" books but I will put him on the list for down the road consideration. And, I will check out American Fiction. Thanks.!
ReplyDeleteInes; You're welcome and thank you for the comment. You actually might have been one of the (several) people who recommended "James" to me last year. If so, I'm grateful to you. And, as you might have deduced from my post, I can't recommend "Erasure" highly enough. The film ("American Fiction") is also well worth watching. Everett is now high on my "will return to" list.
DeleteThe most enjoyable, unusual find for me in the past five or six months was DAYSWORK by Chris Bachelder and his wife, the poet, Jennifer Habel. A woman who is stuck at home during the covid quarantine starts trying to sort fact from fiction in the life of Herman Melville, while juggling her duties as a wife and mother. Written in short clips, it's everything you ever wanted to know about Melville without reading a heavy tome. Laugh out loud funny in many places. A little like sitting at home on a rainy day and gorging on Doritos.
ReplyDeleteHey Jim; Thanks for the comment. I'd already put Dayswork on my list the first time you recommended it to me via an earlier comment here. But because that list is perpetually unwieldy, repetition is always welcome.
DeleteLike you I did not know Everrrt until recently. I am about 80% through TREES. It is amazing, humorous, deadly serious a huge address on racism
ReplyDeleteand yet an intriquing plot with great characters. My best read in many months
Bob; Well, there you go - my next Everett book. Thanks so much for this comment Bob, providing me with exactly what I requested in the post. I'm going to pick up "Trees" at the library this a.m., if it's available.
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