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emmyrandomreport's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
This is a sad book looking at the pain of slavery. I thought going in that it would focus on the two men Isaiah & Samuel but it is a full cast of slaves on the plantation & sometimes the slave owners. It is eye-opening at times on different dynamics that surrounded slavery. It is very detailed on the violence but it is worth it to finish.krachaelm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book went in a direction I didn’t expect. I loved the story and poetic writing. It was very thought provoking and sad, but well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Slavery
melissaduvs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Slavery
amanda_cattiva's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
abbie_'s review against another edition
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Slavery
jbraith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Trafficking, and Religious bigotry
adamsockel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have never read anything quite like this book. A love story of two young men, slaves in the American South, and the ways their lives are impacted by the white family who keeps them in bondage, the reactions and actions of their fellow slaves, and their ancestors from Africa years before they were born. The lyrical, heartbreaking way Robert expresses their tenderness and pain is breathtaking. This book is unique not just because it's rare to see this specific topic addressed in any book, but also in the structure and care given to it by its author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
noslowregard's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence