Prophet Song is a dystopian fiction novel by Irish author Paul Lynch. It was hugely successful and went on to win the Booker Prize.
The story depicts the descent of the Republic of Ireland into a totalitarian state, where the government exercises absolute control. The novel centres around mum of four, Eilish, as she fights to protect her family as society collapses around them.
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Book Blurb
On a dark, wet evening in Dublin, scientist and mother-of-four Eilish Stack answers her front door to find two officers from Ireland’s newly formed secret police on her step. They have arrived to interrogate her husband, a trade unionist.
Ireland is falling apart, caught in the grip of a government turning towards tyranny. As the life she knows and the ones she loves disappear before her eyes, Eilish must contend with the dystopian logic of her new, unraveling country. How far will she go to save her family? And what—or who—is she willing to leave behind?
Prophet Song Book Review
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch is one of the most impactful books I’ve read in a long time. Set in a dystopian yet eerily plausible world, it definitely isn’t an easy book to get through. This isn’t because of the writing but because of the raw, intense ubject matter.
The writing style (no speech marks or clear paragraph breaks) took me a while to get used to. The constant stream of consciousness style of writing reminded me in some ways of Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy. It created an unrelenting, breathless feeling that mirrored the chaos Eilish faced and made the story feel immediate and urgent.
The story itself centres on Eilish, a mother doing everything she can to protect her family in a country falling apart. The setting isn’t explicitly detailed, which only adds to the tension. You’re dropped into this world and left to figure things out as the characters do. That lack of explanation made it feel even more real to me. It reminded me how fragile stability can be and how quickly normal life can unravel.
Eilish’s journey was such a heart-wrenching one. Her love for her children and her determination to keep them safe made every decision she faced feel urgent and deeply personal.
There were moments that were incredibly tense, where I found myself holding my breath, and others that were heartbreakingly tender. I think that balance is what made the book so powerful. It doesn’t immediately overwhelm you with despair, but it also doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the situation.
By the time I was halfway through, I couldn’t put it down. The slow build at the start is worth it because it draws you so deeply into the story that you feel completely invested in the outcome. Even now, I’m still thinking about it.
Overall, I found Prophet Song to be a really powerful read and I can understand why it won the Booker Prize.
What to read next
If you enjoyed Prophet Song, I’d also recommend reading Shuggie Bain, which also won the Booker Prize.
You may also want to check out the list of must-read books by Irish authors.