The Prophets

2022 Longlist

The Halifax plantation is known as Empty by the slaves who work it under the pitiless gaze of its overseers and its owner, Massa Paul. Two young enslaved men, Samuel and Isaiah dwell among the animals they keep in the barn, helping out in the fields when their day is done. But the barn is their haven, a space of radiance and love – away from the blistering sun and the cruelty of the toubabs – where they can be alone together.

But, Amos – a fellow slave – has begun to direct suspicion towards the two men and their refusal to bend. Their flickering glances, unspoken words and willful intention, revealing a truth that threatens to rock the stability of the plantation. And preaching the words of Massa Paul’s gospel, he betrays them.

 Love, in all its permutations, is the discovery at the heart of Robert Jones Jr’s breathtaking debut, The Prophets.

About the Author/Translator

Robert Jones, Jr. is author of The New York Times Instant Bestselling novel, The Prophets, which was  longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction. He has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times, Essence, and The Paris Review. He is the creator and curator of the social-justice, social-media community Son of Baldwin, which has over 288,000 followers across platforms.

Librarian’s Comments

“The Prophets is 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. Jones’s novel is a moving read. The characters are vivid, and once you start you can’t put it down. The language is soaring and reminiscent of Toni Morrison. The beauty of the various narratives make a reader feel a wide range of emotion. There is beauty, strength, humor, community, wisdom, friendship, bravery, and love as an act of resistance.
We were able to host Jones in a panel discussion focused on the legacy of James Baldwin, and we are happy to continue to feature his important literary voice. DC Public Library, United States