Scotland’s former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has spoken publicly about her admiration for Irish author Paul Lynch’s Booker Prize-winning novel Prophet Song. Sturgeon praised the book during a discussion at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, highlighting its ability to make its characters relatable and emphasize the importance of understanding the struggles of others. The novel tells the story of a mother’s struggle to keep her family together under a tyrannical government, where one of the main characters is taken away by the newly formed Irish secret police, leaving her to fight to keep her family together. Sturgeon believes that the book serves as a wake-up call to all of us, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding.
Sturgeon thinks that reading fiction can help leaders develop a deeper understanding of the human condition and the struggles of others, and hopes that more political leaders will make time to read fiction. She found it particularly noteworthy that Prophet Song won the coveted Booker Prize, Lynn’s fifth novel, and believes that it is the novel’s ability to tackle complex themes such as war, fascism, and humanity that makes it so powerful.
Nicola Sturgeon (Via Nicola Sturgeon/Twitter)
Lynch himself revealed during the discussion that he did not feel the need to explain the backstory of Ireland’s descent into fascism in the book, leaving it up to the reader’s imagination. He emphasized the importance of exploring the complexities of human nature, stating that “war is what we are” and that this is what Prophet Song is about.
Sturgeon praised Lynch’s ability to bring this complex theme to life through his writing, making the novel a powerful and thought-provoking read. The discussion revealed that Prophet Song’s focus on the mythic aspects of human nature is what makes it so powerful. Sturgeon’s endorsement of the book is a testament to its ability to spark important conversations about empathy, understanding, and the human condition. She believes that the book is a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding and relating to one another, and hopes that it will inspire readers to think critically about the world around them.
