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A review by bookishinteriors
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Woo, this book is a doozy. It's been hard to compile my thoughts and verbalize how I feel.
This book is deep. It is sweeping. It is real. Even though it is only 400 pages it feels larger than anything I've read in a long time.
Jones' writing can only be described as poetic. I read that Toni Morrison was a large influence on him and that feels quite clear. While the prose is undoubtedly beautiful, there were times that style overtook content, so much so that even after reading certain sentences and paragraphs multiple times I still felt like I was left missing something. The prophet chapters especially felt this way because it felt like there was so little to hold onto.
I read the first third or so in a single sitting which I think helped me really get into the rhythm of the story and the writing. I felt invested in the story almost immediately and I was drawn in slowly but surely by each of the characters. The middle section of the book was a different experience. Because I was reading in smaller chunks it was harder to stay in the story and feel gripped by each new person introduced. While reliving the same moments through different eyes brought something new, it also drastically slowed the pace. I don't mind a large cast so I think either reducing the overlap or omitting a character or two would have helped a bit. By the last hundred pages or so though things finally started to pick up and click into place. The story was tied together and it was both riveting and gutting.
I'm not one that typically needs content or trigger warnings, but the abuse described in the last 50 pages was so visceral I was sick to my stomach. That paired with the knowledge that I'm sure it only scratches the surface of what life was really like in that time period made it truly hard to get through. I don't think this should deter anyone from reading it but it's definitely something to prepare for.
I initially got this from the library I could see myself buying it for a reread later. I suspect that each time you read it you can pull more from the pages and gain a different perspective/experience. Overall this book feels like an English teacher's dream and an important read for anyone.
This book is deep. It is sweeping. It is real. Even though it is only 400 pages it feels larger than anything I've read in a long time.
Jones' writing can only be described as poetic. I read that Toni Morrison was a large influence on him and that feels quite clear. While the prose is undoubtedly beautiful, there were times that style overtook content, so much so that even after reading certain sentences and paragraphs multiple times I still felt like I was left missing something. The prophet chapters especially felt this way because it felt like there was so little to hold onto.
I read the first third or so in a single sitting which I think helped me really get into the rhythm of the story and the writing. I felt invested in the story almost immediately and I was drawn in slowly but surely by each of the characters. The middle section of the book was a different experience. Because I was reading in smaller chunks it was harder to stay in the story and feel gripped by each new person introduced. While reliving the same moments through different eyes brought something new, it also drastically slowed the pace. I don't mind a large cast so I think either reducing the overlap or omitting a character or two would have helped a bit. By the last hundred pages or so though things finally started to pick up and click into place. The story was tied together and it was both riveting and gutting.
I'm not one that typically needs content or trigger warnings, but the abuse described in the last 50 pages was so visceral I was sick to my stomach. That paired with the knowledge that I'm sure it only scratches the surface of what life was really like in that time period made it truly hard to get through. I don't think this should deter anyone from reading it but it's definitely something to prepare for.
I initially got this from the library I could see myself buying it for a reread later. I suspect that each time you read it you can pull more from the pages and gain a different perspective/experience. Overall this book feels like an English teacher's dream and an important read for anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Murder
Moderate: Rape