The ProphetsThe Prophets
What it's about
Isaiah and Samuel are two enslaved young men on a plantation in Mississippi, and they love each other. In the barn where they work, they've made a refuge. But when an enslaved preacher starts teaching the white man's religion to the others, their love is called a sin, and the community turns against them, with tragic consequences. Voices of ancestors run through the story.
Why it's worth reading
It was a National Book Award finalist and a Goodreads Choice finalist. It's a lyrical, unflinching debut.
You'll love it if you liked
Beloved
The Underground Railroad
The Known WorldGood to know
It includes rape, torture and graphic violence. The prose is poetic and demanding.
By the numbers
- Readers22 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz19 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #282 of the 325 literary novels we rank
- #413 of the 485 new books we rank
- #2593 of the 3,057 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
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Quick answers
Is The Prophets worth reading?
Yes. It was a National Book Award finalist and a Goodreads Choice finalist. It ranks #2,593 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 59.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Prophets about?
Isaiah and Samuel are two enslaved young men on a plantation in Mississippi, and they love each other. In the barn where they work, they've made a refuge. But when an enslaved preacher starts teaching the white man's religion to the others, their love is called a sin, and the community turns against them, with tragic consequences. Voices of ancestors run through the story.
How long does it take to read The Prophets?
About 10 hours (416 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Prophets?
If you liked it, try Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead or The Known World by Edward P. Jones.