A review by abbie_
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
‘The easy thing to believe was that the toubab were monsters, their crimes exceptional. Harder, however, and even more frightening was the truth: there was no such thing as monsters. Every travesty that had ever been committed had been committed by a plain person, and every person had it in them [...].’ - Robert Jones, Jr, The Prophets.
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After finishing The Prophets last night, I just sat for a bit, absorbing. I had to do that many times throughout the journey of this book, which I’m sure we’ll see all over bookstagram and prize lists this year - deservedly so. Jones’ prose is gorgeous, complex and rich. If you’re not concentrating, the sentences will get away from you, but give it your all and you’ll be rewarded.
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The author acknowledgements mention Toni Morrison’s famous quote about writing the book you want to read if you can’t find it, and Jones has poured himself into this book, no question. Every character feels real and vivid, the reader privy to their innermost agonising thoughts, their memories and make-up which makes them *them*. I thought we’d hear more from Isaiah and Samuel directly, but I wasn’t mad at the multitude of voices which pour across these pages. Isaiah and Samuel are the stars, but the women in this book are by no means sidelined, each as carefully crafted and explored as the two main characters.
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It’s book that will take a long time to unpack. One that I’m sure will be sitting with me for a long time, as much for its heartbreak as for the brightly shining pockets of beauty and love.
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