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frooml's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
timmytunter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Prophet Song is an unflinching and emotionally brutal portrayal of a nation spiralling into war. Paul Lynch’s novel grips the reader with its intensity, pulling you into the heart of a society on the brink of collapse.
What stands out most is Lynch’s exceptional prose. His unconventional descriptions of everyday moments breathe life into the narrative in ways that are unexpected yet striking.
For instance, when describing a simple exchange, Lynch writes:
What stands out most is Lynch’s exceptional prose. His unconventional descriptions of everyday moments breathe life into the narrative in ways that are unexpected yet striking.
For instance, when describing a simple exchange, Lynch writes:
She finds herself watching the face so intensely she is met with the feeling of an existence unalterably separate from hers, can feel her smile uncoupling from her face, the smile sliding past her jaw onto the floor.
Or this vivid depiction of a tender yet tragic moment:
What has been stored in the body, what has been locked in the heart gives release through Molly’s mouth into sobbing…We have entered into a tunnel and there is no going back, she says, we just need to keep going and going until we reach the light on the other side.
Lynch’s writing is both beautiful and harrowing, capturing the emotional toll of life under siege. The novel’s intensity weighs heavily, and while I found it incredibly powerful, I have no desire to read it again—not because it’s a bad book, but because of its emotional heft. The experience was profound, but draining.
That said, Prophet Song is a novel everyone should read at least once. It exposes the jarring and tragic realities of life in a war-torn country in a way that will leave you both shaken and reflective. The devastating truth is that this depiction accurately reflects the reality for many in our world today, a fact which is cause for pause, reflection, and action.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Torture and Dementia
aseel_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I think the idea of the story was interesting but I hate this style of execution and it was really hard to concentrate on the story. Some plot events had me super engaged um bailey dying?? Wtf but like it took me so long to remember the names of the kids and I felt like the mum could have been more proactive, especially in the second half
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Torture, Medical content, Dementia, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
krysley's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Torture, Violence, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
swivelhead's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Distressingly relatable against the backdrop of what's going on in various countries around the world in present day (cliche as that sounds), but this book does the dystopian Orwell-esque storytelling really well.
However, at the core of it is the grounded story of a mother (Eilish) trying to hold her family together against the aforementioned turmoil and war that I found really powerful. The writing style is a little atypical/challenging, but I really enjoyed it (I can see how others wouldn't though).
However, at the core of it is the grounded story of a mother (Eilish) trying to hold her family together against the aforementioned turmoil and war that I found really powerful. The writing style is a little atypical/challenging, but I really enjoyed it (I can see how others wouldn't though).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Police brutality
eleanorf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
johannashorn's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, War, and Deportation
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse
gracethebibliofeline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely heart-wrenching. The writing is beautiful, and the story is so emotional. Truly one of the most impactful modern novels, and at such an important time for bringing the refugee experience to light. I believe this should be considered a modern classic. Truly horrifying insight into the lives of those ravaged by war and instability, especially the mothers, their children and ordinary families, it confronts the reader with a reality we often detach ourselves from. Truly important to humanise the refugee plight further than just news reports. I was brought to tears by this novel. Amazing writing, my favourite novel of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
jesstaurant's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
florenceassetto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
this book is really a work of literary genius! lynch's writing style took me a second to get used to but is so well suited to the story that he was telling. this book left me hoping for the characters as they were hoping, and despairing for them as they did as well. it's definitely something i would class as a modern dystopia and it's unlike anything i've read before but also so reminiscent of stories in real life. very powerful, and a very deserving booker prize winner!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and War