The Prophets

Set on a Deep South plantation, Robert Jones, Jr.'s debut novel, "The Prophets," unveils the forbidden love between two enslaved young men, Samuel and Isaiah. From their youth, their bond has been an anchor, a quiet defiance against the brutal realities of their existence, finding solace and intimacy within the barn where they tend to animals and each other. This sanctuary of mutual affection becomes a source of hope in an otherwise desolate world ruled by vicious masters. However, their profound connection is threatened when an older, fellow enslaved man, eager to curry favor with the master, begins to preach a distorted version of the gospel, demonizing their love as sinful and disruptive to the plantation's perceived harmony. As tensions escalate, the community turns on itself, jeopardizing Isaiah and Samuel's very lives. With a lyrical prose reminiscent of Toni Morrison, Jones, Jr. gives voice to a spectrum of characters—from the lovers and their calculating master to the resilient women who uphold the plantation's spirit. The novel builds to a climactic reckoning, unflinchingly exploring the pain of inherited trauma while simultaneously celebrating the enduring power of love, beauty, and truth amidst unimaginable suffering.