Prophet Song.

 

Dystopian fiction has become a difficult read for me at this stage of my life. The hopelessness and suffering depicted in these stories trigger a visceral reaction that’s hard to shake off. It’s particularly difficult when my own work exposes me to a future that feels all too dystopian for many people I connect with and care for: underprivileged individuals and people with no agency.

Paul Lynch’s  Prophet Song  is one such book. It’s a chilling narrative that forced me to pause, take a deep breath, and remind myself that I’m reading fiction. Lynch’s Ireland is a near-future dystopia where a mother of four is left reeling after her trade unionist husband is taken by a totalitarian regime. His writing, devoid of paragraph breaks or traditional dialogue presentation, creates an immersive experience that places you directly beside the protagonist as she faces her harrowing reality.

The story begins with the arrest of Larry Stack, a teacher and union leader. His wife, Eilish, is left to cope with the increasingly dire situation as his colleagues and friends vanish one by one. Despite each day growing darker, Eilish clings to the hope that things will return to normal – that Larry will come home and her children will go back to school.

Lynch’s prose is unflinching, mirroring the protagonist’s escalating fear and despair. It’s a testament to his skill that the story resonates so deeply and the future it paints feels uncomfortably imminent.