A review by wordsofclover
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

dark tense fast-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

4.5

 When Eilish Stack opens up her door one evening, she doesn’t expect to see the GNSB on her doorstep looking for her husband. Within a few weeks, her union worker spouse has disappeared and Ireland falls further under a totalitarian rule. As Eilish grapples with the loss of her husband and no answers to her questions, balancing her own work in an increasin hostile workplace and keeping her children together, civil war creeps closer and everyone’s lives are in danger. 
 
This was a gripping read and is one of those books that’s so horrifying yet well-paced that as soon as you pick it up, you can’t put it down until you’re finished. 
 
It was honestly terrifying and horrifying reading this at times thinking about how easy in many ways it could be for Ireland to fall under this kind of rule and for such extremism to be unleashed on the public and by the public. In some ways, it seemed far-fetched and dystopian but then I thought again about how this dystopian version of Ireland was a real life reality for many people in countries today and it’s just a bit mind-blowing and really makes you think about your privilege. 
 
I thought this was excellently written. I felt for the characters and their situation while also feeling a lot of frustration towards Eilish for some of her decisions, for her kids and their reactions and how they often treated their mother and exasperation to the outside world for not helping anyone. 
 
Highly recommend this one and I can understand why it won all the prizes! 
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