The Prophets

By: Robert Jones Jr.

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

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.

©2021 Robert Jones, Jr. (P)2021 Penguin Audio

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
Finalist for the Chautauqua Prize

Longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

Longlisted for the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award

"An extraordinary, vivid novel written with heart and imagination....The Prophets really dazzles." –NPR, Weekend Edition

“[An] often lyrical and rebellious love story...Jones seems to be reaching across centuries of blood and memory in an attempt to shake awake a warrior armed with weapon and wit that lies sleeping in his imagined, beloved, Black reader....Jones proves himself an amazing lyricist, pulling poetry out of every image and shift of light....What a fiery kindness that ending, this book. A book I entered hesitantly, cautiously, I exited anew—something in me unloosed, running. May this book cast its spell on all of us, restore to us some memory of our most warrior and softest selves.” –The New York Times Book Review

“With this epic novel, Jones, who is known for his blogging and Twitter presence as Son of Baldwin, marks his entry into the literary arena....The greatest gift of this novel is its efforts to render emotional interiority to enslaved people who are too often depicted either as vessels for sadistic violence or as noble, superhuman warriors for liberation....Jones’s debut novel is an important contribution to American letters, Black queer studies and the present moment’s profound reckoning with the legacy of America’s racialized violence.” –The Washington Post

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.

Slow Burn

Starts out slow but picks up pace half way through the book. Excellent book! Gives a good read of start of slavery in the western world.

Difficult yet perfect

I agree with so many of the reviews. The narration was soothing, and kept me listening even when it was difficult to understand or difficult to hear. My heart broke - the ending left me wanting more. I could listen to Ms Chilton read all day long.

An instant classic

I loved this novel. The author has such a mastery of dialogue and lush descriptions. I was transported

Beautiful Love Story

This was a beautiful and bitter love story and I have never read anything like this ever. The narration was great. In this life we are blessed to find an ounce of happiness through total acceptance.

Profound

This book is an experience that pulls the listeners into the story and leaves them forever changed. I only hope Mr Jones will write another.

Beautiful!

The prose is almost poetry. The author’s writing style commands the readers attention as he challenges societal and cultural norms and tells a story of betrayal, treachery, oppression, subjugation, and hatred that is this country’s original sin, while spotlighting the ever enduring power of love and the strength of black people in the darkest of times. I loved it.

Excellent listen.

I had this recommended by a book-worm friend and I am glad I purchased it. The story was excellent, I went in pretty blind and immediately was deeply engaged in what would happen with the characters. I keep thinking about them days after I finished listening. I very much enjoyed having Karen as a narrator. Her performance brought each character to life. I will be looking into Robert Jones Jr. for future reads as well as keep an eye out for more things narrated by Karen Chilton. Would recommend.

Poetically Powerful

The words touched inside my soul, soothing and something familiar, and I felt healing for the acknowledgment of Black history, our pain, and our struggle. It's a love story and a love for our beautiful selves story. This book made me read the Book of Lamentations just so I could hear what God had to say about it all. Suffering and grief is part of the human experience but we will overcome.

Deeply moving!

Mesmerizing. sad. shameful. Unbelievable what man can , have and continue to do to others not like themselves. Yet, people survived. Where did we learn this from?