One of the best modern novels I have read. All the characters come alive off the page. The prose is glorious with its poetry always aligned with the narrative. We gain an intimate insight into the individual suffering inflicted on so many millions by the obscene mass genocidal crimes of the slave trade! However how the humanity of these people still manages to rise above the cruelty and abuse. The love of the two young men and the respect it generates inspires - until religion and insecurity conspire against it. Robert Jones radicalism extends to challenge homophobia even in modern day Africa. The Prophets is at times very sad and horrific, but its humanity never fails to move and inspire. You may read reviews that claim it needed more editing: so does much of Dickens, so what? I would have loved it to continue on.