Percival Everett, author of Pulitzer-winning novel, to speak at Lenoir-Rhyne
Author Percival Everett will discuss his Pulitzer Prize-winning book “James” at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
“James” is the critically acclaimed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” told from the perspective of the enslaved Jim.
The book won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the National Book Award and rose to No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. The novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and is being developed as a feature film by Steven Spielberg.
Everett grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, and has authored more than 30 novels, story collections and works of nonfiction. His appearance is part of the university’s 2025-26 Visiting Writers Series.
Everett will speak from 7 to 8 p.m. in P.E. Monroe Auditorium. His talk is free, but tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved at tickets.lr.edu.
This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 12:07 PM.