Prophet Song

Winner of the Booker Prize 2023

Set in an alternative present (or maybe near-future) where after the right-wing National Alliance party seizes control of the government, Ireland is descending into totalitarianism. Eilish, a scientist and a mother of four, has to take care of her children.

I really tried (and hopefully succeeded in) erasing my friend’s rates from my mind before reading. This was my second try reading this novel. I struggled to read it, and the long chunks of text with no paragraph breaks certainly didn’t help.

The original idea was interesting, but it didn’t work for me. The novel didn’t grab me and somehow didn’t sound authentic and probable, at least in this way. And many details were never explained, or maybe I didn't catch them. Also, I couldn’t get to like Eilish. She is supposed to be a likable character, and you should feel compassion for her. There’s much heartache in this story, and in its essence, it is not a bad one. But I couldn’t get past some of her statements and actions. Yes, I will mention this, too. Her disbelief that someone could listen to your phone call is one of them. Really? I was wondering if she was really that naive or just plain dumb.

But I can see also what others liked, I guess. I would say that the horror of something like this happening in the Western world, now, to us, and not in some faraway country, is among the powerful reasons.

I can't decide about the rating. For now, 2.5 or 3 stars.

 

Goodreads

 

Details:

• author: Paul Lynch
• full title: Prophet Song
• genre: literary fiction
  
• format/type: bookfiction
• country: Ireland
• topics: #politics, #totalitarianism, #civilwar
  
• publisher: Grove/Atlantic
  
• publish date: December 22, 2023
• pages: 320
  

My Rating of the Book:

• content: 💙💙💙

 

Prizes

• 2023 Booker Prize

 

About the Author: 

Paul Lynch (born 9 May 1977) is an Irish novelist known for his poetic, lyrical style and exploration of complex themes. He has published five novels and has won several awards, including the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award. He received the 2023 Booker Prize for his fifth novel, Prophet Song.

Other Works by this Author:

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