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The Prophets
- Narrated by: Karen Chilton
- Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: LGBTQ+, Literature & Fiction
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Interview: 'The Prophets' Raises Love Above All Else
- The Prophets
- By:Robert Jones Jr.
- Narrated by:Karen Chilton
- The Prophets
- 'I was paying tribute to Black womanhood...I rendered their voices as authentically as I possibly could...'
Publisher's Summary
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 Best Seller
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.
Critic Reviews
Winner of the Publishing Triangle’s Edmund White Award
Finalist for the Ernest J. Gaines Award For Literary Excellence
Finalist for the Crook's Corner Book Prize
Finalist for the Prix Médicis Etrange
Longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize
#1 Indie Next Pick
One of:
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"An extraordinary, vivid novel written with heart and imagination....The Prophets really dazzles." –NPR, Weekend Edition
"A lyrical and rebellious love story." –The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)
Featured Article: The Best Black Audiobook Narrators to Listen to Right Now
A skilled performer has the ability to take the written word to new heights, infusing an author’s work with empathy, warmth, and excitement. And representation matters just as much for audio as it does for any visual medium: listeners should feel and hear themselves in art driven by powerful performers and authentic deliveries. We’ve gathered a few of the best Black audiobook narrators in the business and their can't-miss performances.
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What listeners say about The Prophets
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Des
- 04-18-21
LOVED IT
Finally finished ‘The Prophets’ by Robert Jones Jr aka Son of Baldwin. Let me first say that this book had some of most beautiful writing that I’ve ever read. On multiple occasions, I stopped and reread a sentence, purely out of amazement for the word play. I toggled back and forth between the physical book and audible recording. The narration by black woman’s soulful voice made me feel like she loved the characters and me! 😂
Secondly, the story touched every emotion for me: anxiety, fear, elation, love, heartbreak, despair. At times, I had to take week long breaks in between chapters, just to settle myself. Then, just when I thought that I was prepared for the ending....I.WAS.NOT!
Finally, even as a fictional story, the perils that black people have faced through the centuries resonated with me and rung my core like a bell. I love us.
GO AND GET YOUR COPY
ALL THE PRAISE ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
ALL THE STARS ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barbara S
- 01-16-21
lyrical
“The Prophets” by Robert Jones Jr is a lyrical love story of two gay boys during antebellum time in Mississippi. Jones wanted to write a story about gay slaves because none have been written. What was breathtaking to me was his lyrical prose while writing of the evils and horrifying conditions of slavery. His melodious tones make the indignities deeper in the soul.
It took a long time for me to get into the story. I listened to the audible production narrated by Karen Chiton’s soothing voice. It was her voice that kept me listening when I might have given up. Her voice is pitch perfect.
Jones writes a beautiful love story of two souls attempting to find dignity in the hellish conditions they find themselves. The slaves themselves and their lives are the focal of the story. The plantation owners occupy less of the story, as it’s mostly the slaves finding ways to survive unwieldly commands and ridiculous demands. It’s a story of survival.
This isn’t really a hard edged slave story, for me anyway. The prose creates a literary, almost dream-like (at times) story of perseverance during a horrendous time in Black history. It’s difficult to explain how lyrical prose affects blinding cruelty. Jones has written a deeply moving story.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Theodoron
- 07-09-21
Excellent
Wonderful story and beautifully narrated. I couldn’t put it down. The prose is woven in wonderful detail like an intricate quilt. The characters came alive with depth and emotion. A must hear for the story and the narration.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jess
- 06-30-21
Brilliant!
The words are silk and the performance is outstanding. I expected nothing less from Robert Jones Jr., but this piece has far exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Mr. Jones.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Crystal Watson
- 03-05-21
Disjointed & hard to follow
I gave it my best shot but I had to put it down. It's hard to follow. Perhaps it would be better if I had a physical book in my hands to go back & re-read again but in audiobook format, I just felt like I was always lost.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John ROBERTSON
- 06-09-21
Fresh Old News
Just when you figure you've read enough slave literature- something old, something borrowed, something blue
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Dactyl
- 06-16-21
Amazing story.
Amazing story, beautiful narration. Unfortunately, there were a few audio quality issues/inconsistencies at times, but overall a really fantastic listen.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark McMahon
- 05-27-21
Compelling
A truly compelling story that is more truth than fiction. The writing is damn impressive and flows from his pen like it was Robert’s blood writing it. Each character is fully developed and his writing makes you feel like you know their inner thoughts.
Can’t wait for the next chapter in his book of life.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- C. FREEMAN
- 01-17-21
Brilliant elegant but
Oh I loved the first 80%; I wish Jones had made a different plot decision with Samuel and Timothy. An ambitious and stunning book. Some Morrison; some Angels in America. Lots of originality. But....
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Dr. Bill- Northern NJ-USA
- 01-15-21
Disappointing
After the expectations and reviews--I really anticipated appreciating this more that I did--hopefully his next ventures will be more fulfilling for me.
1 person found this helpful
