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Cheri's Reviews > Prophet Song
Prophet Song
by
This story begins, more or less, with an election, a neo-Fascist government is elected, and Ireland is in upheaval. People begin to disappear. One of those is a trade union leader, a husband who is arrested, and simply ‘disappears.’
This story is mostly revealed through Elish Stack’s thoughts, whose world - along with many others - is falling apart after her husband’s ‘disappearance’, and soon after that her teenage son will also disappear. Without her husband and son, she is stretched thin having to be the sole provider and caretaker for her other three children, along with a father with dementia who needs looking after, as well.
The country is soon falling apart, as well, and the families that surround her hide inside their homes. It becomes difficult to determine whose side others are on, and so people become wary, and their distance grows from one another.
This was a heartbreaking read, but also, unfortunately, believable. When one person can have a book automatically banned in a state, when the chorus of those who chanted ‘Hang Mike Pence’ is still remembered for not bending to the desires of others, how difficult can it be to believe?
Pub Date: 12 Dec 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press
by
Cheri's review
bookshelves: 2023-ng-challenge, 2023-publication, 2023-reads, ireland, politics, political-cultural-commentary
Oct 03, 2023
bookshelves: 2023-ng-challenge, 2023-publication, 2023-reads, ireland, politics, political-cultural-commentary
This story begins, more or less, with an election, a neo-Fascist government is elected, and Ireland is in upheaval. People begin to disappear. One of those is a trade union leader, a husband who is arrested, and simply ‘disappears.’
This story is mostly revealed through Elish Stack’s thoughts, whose world - along with many others - is falling apart after her husband’s ‘disappearance’, and soon after that her teenage son will also disappear. Without her husband and son, she is stretched thin having to be the sole provider and caretaker for her other three children, along with a father with dementia who needs looking after, as well.
The country is soon falling apart, as well, and the families that surround her hide inside their homes. It becomes difficult to determine whose side others are on, and so people become wary, and their distance grows from one another.
This was a heartbreaking read, but also, unfortunately, believable. When one person can have a book automatically banned in a state, when the chorus of those who chanted ‘Hang Mike Pence’ is still remembered for not bending to the desires of others, how difficult can it be to believe?
Pub Date: 12 Dec 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press
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Thanks so much, Karen! I will be thinking about this one for a long time!
Ooohhh, Cheri! Wonderful thought provoking questions and totally agree with you. Everything is possible. I’ve never heard of book or author but I’ll definitely be adding. Would you call it a political thriller?
Karina, this will be published this December, but the author is an Irish author, and I've read at least one of his other books - but this one was even better! It's got a lot about politics, but 'political thriller' might be a tad overkill... it's not quite dystopian, either, but maybe somewhere in between a mix of the two. There is an abundance of politics, and lots of tension, but not quite a thriller.
Thank you, Cheri. This seemed like exactly my kind of book, but it must have been wrong time, it wasn't pulling me in. I plan to try again after reading your review. Some of my favorite books took 3 tries to be fully absorbed.
Louise, I never got a notification of your comment, but just happened to come across it today. Thank you so much!
I wish I knew what was with the notification system on here, I just got a notification of your comment today, Betsey! It took me quite a while to really appreciate this story, it isn't exactly the 'easiest' one to follow the path it takes over time. I can totally understand you not enjoying it! It was a hard one to love!
Probably not that difficult to believe, unfortunately. Great review, Cheri
Jen, thanks so much! It was an epic read, but a hard one to follow...there are *so* many twists and turns, but eventually, it won me over.
Great review, Cheri! I’ve seen mixed reviews of this one, so not sure if I’ll get to it or not, but you certainly offer some food for thought here 🙂
Candi, I can't say that I would recommend it to anyone, but mainly because it was so frustrating in certain places, but it was worth it in the end for me.
Terrific review, Cheri. I've got this on hold. I'm prepared to be anxious and/or rage.
Bianca, this was a hard one to love - at least as it begins... it never made me anxious, but at times it was frustrating. I ended up loving it, overall, but it was a hard won love. I don't think it will make you anxious, but rage? Maybe!
Excellent review, Cheri! The scariest books are the ones that are believable.
I hadn't even known of this one until today -- seeing it won the Booker. Need to consider!!! I feel like I need a break from political-anything right now, though... will have to sample the writing!
Antoinette, another case of no notifications... you are so right! The scariest books are the ones that are believable!
Melissa, this took me a while to really feel invested, but eventually it won me over. It is political, but there is more to it than that. Having said that, it was a hard won five stars for me.
Thanks for your review Cheri. Sounds like a chilling book that I have added. Thanx 🍒
Kevin, thank you so much!
Jaidee, this is one *I* had to be patient with, it is one of those books that pulled me in gradually, and was a hard won five stars!
Great review Cheri. I am woefully behind on my reading. This is the last book in the Man Booker shortlist. And, as we know now, the winner. I’m almost done with The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. This is the last and next on the list for me.
Glenda, I've been sick for almost two weeks, and haven't been reading as much because of that, so I can relate to feeling like I'm falling behind! This was worth reading, for me anyway, but it does tend to feel disconnected, at times, but it all comes together in the end.
Wonderful review, Cheri!! I love stories about Ireland! I left you a message last night and I would love to hear from you!
Kellie, I've been sick for a while, so I haven't been on here much lately... This was a hard won 5 stars, but worth it in the end!
Oh, so very sorry to hear that, Cheri! :-( Message me back when you feel better. Know that I am praying for you! ❤️
I am glad you liked this one, Cheri. 🙂I appreciate your perspective review. It didn't work for me.
Karen, thank you! This was a hard won 5 stars...I struggled with it at the beginning, but it won me over eventually, so I can understand that it didn't work for you!
Terrific review, Cheri!