The Prophets

By: Robert Jones Jr.

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

Best Book of the Year
NPR • The Washington Post • Boston Globe • TIME • USA Today • Entertainment Weekly • Real Simple • Parade • Buzzfeed • Electric Literature • LitHub • BookRiot • PopSugar • Goop • Library Journal • BookBub • KCRW

• Finalist for the National Book Award
• One of the New York Times Notable Books of the Year
• One of the New York Times Best Historical Fiction of the Year
• Instant New York Times Bestseller

A singular and stunning debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence.

Isaiah was Samuel's and Samuel was Isaiah's. That was the way it was since the beginning, and the way it was to be until the end. In the barn they tended to the animals, but also to each other, transforming the hollowed-out shed into a place of human refuge, a source of intimacy and hope in a world ruled by vicious masters. But when an older man—a fellow slave—seeks to gain favor by preaching the master's gospel on the plantation, the enslaved begin to turn on their own. Isaiah and Samuel's love, which was once so simple, is seen as sinful and a clear danger to the plantation's harmony.

With a lyricism reminiscent of Toni Morrison, Robert Jones, Jr., fiercely summons the voices of slaver and enslaved alike, from Isaiah and Samuel to the calculating slave master to the long line of women that surround them, women who have carried the soul of the plantation on their shoulders. As tensions build and the weight of centuries—of ancestors and future generations to come—culminates in a climactic reckoning, The Prophets fearlessly reveals the pain and suffering of inheritance, but is also shot through with hope, beauty, and truth, portraying the enormous, heroic power of love.

Beautiful!

The prose is almost poetry. The author’s writing style commands the readers attention as he challenges societal and cultural norms and tells a story of betrayal, treachery, oppression, subjugation, and hatred that is this country’s original sin, while spotlighting the ever enduring power of love and the strength of black people in the darkest of times. I loved it.

Excellent listen.

I had this recommended by a book-worm friend and I am glad I purchased it. The story was excellent, I went in pretty blind and immediately was deeply engaged in what would happen with the characters. I keep thinking about them days after I finished listening. I very much enjoyed having Karen as a narrator. Her performance brought each character to life. I will be looking into Robert Jones Jr. for future reads as well as keep an eye out for more things narrated by Karen Chilton. Would recommend.

Poetically Powerful

The words touched inside my soul, soothing and something familiar, and I felt healing for the acknowledgment of Black history, our pain, and our struggle. It's a love story and a love for our beautiful selves story. This book made me read the Book of Lamentations just so I could hear what God had to say about it all. Suffering and grief is part of the human experience but we will overcome.

Deeply moving!

Mesmerizing. sad. shameful. Unbelievable what man can , have and continue to do to others not like themselves. Yet, people survived. Where did we learn this from?

Incredible for his first Novel

I am so glad that I didn’t succumb to some of the reviews posted here. For the life of me, I see where those people even listened to the audible.

In any event, I thought the book to be exceptional. Already a follower of “Son of Baldwin,” I came in with high expectations, slightly biased, and albeit skeptical, an “open mind.” At no point was I disappointed.