Writing for the New York Times, Dwight Garner stated:『What sets “James” above Everett’s previous novels, as casually and caustically funny as many are, is that here the humanity is turned up — way up. This is Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful.』Garner further states that re-imaginings of famous novels can be trite and un-inspired, however he stated "Everett's “James” is the rarest of exceptions. It should come bundled with Twain’s novel. It is a tangled and subversive homage, a labor of rough love."[2] Writing for The Guardian, Anthony Cummins stated: "James offers page-turning excitement but also off-kilter philosophical picaresque" and while concluding that the novel is "Gripping, painful, funny, horrifying, this is multi-level entertainment, a consummate performance to the last."[3]