Prophet Song

 Prophet Song is a dystopian novel written by Paul Lynch. Set in modern times, in Ireland, a tyrannical government is taking over. Eilish is a mother of four children who works as a microbiologist. One evening, at home, the new secret police come knocking on her door asking for her husband. Her husband is a trade unionist and not at home. Two days later he goes missing. Her eldest son is 16. Now the government is demanding that all 17 year old boys enroll in the military. She sends him out of the country to escape. Eilish looses her job. The government has put in a curfew which makes it hard for her to visit her elderly father who is forgetful and declining. Food becomes short and expensive. Electricity goes out. At night she can hear shooting and bombing. All schools are closed. Her 15 year old daughter, Molly, is depressed and has stopped eating. Her 12 year old son keeps leaving the house even after she tells him to stay home. Eventually she sleeps on the living room floor with her daughter, her son, and her 2 year old son. She is trying her best to keep her family together but what is the best course of action? Leave? Stay? This was a tough book to read but very well written.