A review by thealbapoems
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Paul Lynch’s style jars in the first two chapters, but very quickly the reader realizes that it perfectly suits the atmosphere of the novel. Prophet Song is a haunting exploration of a country at war with itself  through the lens of a family that is slowly torn apart. Extremely well written, it feels real and makes the reader want to personally drag Eilish out of the country. What I liked the most was the fact that it made me see for the first time, the reasons why people don’t leave their homes even when their lives are at risk. Before this book I hadn't considered the implications and family ties, it does this in a more efficient way than maybe Half of a Yellow Sun. There are moments when the writing feels almost superficial, but it does fit with the overwhelmed mental state of the protagonist, so it could have been intentional. Overall this is a very interesting dive into a crumbling country and its victims.