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A review by jessie_h
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
How do you even review this book? This not something I normally read and probably wouldn’t have if not for it being chosen as this month’s book club pick. The story was beautiful yet heart-wrenching as it tells the tale of two gay slaves who fell in love and how that love is viewed changes in their community as some of the slaves find Jesus. This book is a sucker punch to the gut at times and hard to read and beautiful in others. It is a necessary one that needs to be told.
I’m a little in awe of how the author could write such a cohesive story from so many POVs and a non-linear timeline that it sucks you in even as you read slowly in order to digest and sometimes savor what has been written. The central romance was beautiful and makes my heart sore. I quickly fell in love with Samuel and Isaiah and with every page I read, I was fervently hoping that their love and relationship would survive everything and remain whole.
My favorite character of the whole book was Maggie and her view of the world and her knowledge of her peoples’ past was intriguing. I also really enjoyed the parts of the story told from the view of the African king and getting to see parts of that village’s culture before everything goes pear-shaped.
This book has left a dent in my heart and is a story that I’m going to be thinking about for a long time to come.
I’m a little in awe of how the author could write such a cohesive story from so many POVs and a non-linear timeline that it sucks you in even as you read slowly in order to digest and sometimes savor what has been written. The central romance was beautiful and makes my heart sore. I quickly fell in love with Samuel and Isaiah and with every page I read, I was fervently hoping that their love and relationship would survive everything and remain whole.
My favorite character of the whole book was Maggie and her view of the world and her knowledge of her peoples’ past was intriguing. I also really enjoyed the parts of the story told from the view of the African king and getting to see parts of that village’s culture before everything goes pear-shaped.
This book has left a dent in my heart and is a story that I’m going to be thinking about for a long time to come.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence