What do you think?
Rate this book
Protest!
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2026
About the author
Joan Lewis
4 books9 followersJoan has always loved telling stories, and introducing young children to some of the best tales in the world. She has worked in schools as a teacher and headteacher both in Germany, and in different parts of England and Wales. Nowadays she lives in a beautiful and remote part of the Languedoc in Southern France, where the utter peace and beauty of these surroundings provide plenty of stimulation for her writing. She likes to blog about life in France too, at joansjottings.net..
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 15, 2026
Couldn't Put It Down
Review for “Protest!” by Joan Lewis. What a great, exciting read. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t unsee the image of a 72 year old lady handcuffed and in the grips of four burly police officers simply for waving a cardboard sign at a peaceful demonstration. The book explores the question of ‘what is the world coming to?’ through the eyes of people of varying age, race and economic situation. Carys, the 72 year old lady, thrown in prison without a hearing or trial was actually shocking. The characters and their relationships are vivid and relatable. Family loyalties, work relationships, old friendships and new are put to the test against the background of the world going to hell, fear, the bad guys in charge and no solution in sight. I thoroughly enjoyed this multi-layered story with a plot that hung together perfectly right through to the end. There is a satisfying surprise ending (can’t say more, don’t want to spoil it) that I didn’t see coming. If you like action and adventure, or if you’ve ever held up a cardboard sign at a protest, you will enjoy this fast paced, well written book.
Review for “Protest!” by Joan Lewis. What a great, exciting read. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t unsee the image of a 72 year old lady handcuffed and in the grips of four burly police officers simply for waving a cardboard sign at a peaceful demonstration. The book explores the question of ‘what is the world coming to?’ through the eyes of people of varying age, race and economic situation. Carys, the 72 year old lady, thrown in prison without a hearing or trial was actually shocking. The characters and their relationships are vivid and relatable. Family loyalties, work relationships, old friendships and new are put to the test against the background of the world going to hell, fear, the bad guys in charge and no solution in sight. I thoroughly enjoyed this multi-layered story with a plot that hung together perfectly right through to the end. There is a satisfying surprise ending (can’t say more, don’t want to spoil it) that I didn’t see coming. If you like action and adventure, or if you’ve ever held up a cardboard sign at a protest, you will enjoy this fast paced, well written book.
May 13, 2026
“Protest!” by Joan Lewis follows a retired doctor named Carys after she is arrested during a fascist government’s crack-down of free speech. The story volleys mostly between Carys, imprisoned in Europe, and her estranged son Bryn, a journalist living in Africa. Lewis sets her drama in fictionalized nations, but the situations are painfully familiar.
The story shines when it focuses on the developing camaraderie and friendships amongst the imprisoned women, among whom Carys becomes known as Gran. There’s another story tied to Bryn that reveals corruption at the highest levels, but it seems undercooked and only serves to move characters from point A to B. There were a few structural issues – missing quotation marks, some abrupt scene transitions – but nothing too distracting. The ending also felt incomplete, but I wonder if that is because Lewis intends to continue with these characters in future tales.
Overall, Lewis has created interesting people in perilous times and holds a mirror to current affairs. “Protest!” is a compelling, albeit incomplete, read.
The story shines when it focuses on the developing camaraderie and friendships amongst the imprisoned women, among whom Carys becomes known as Gran. There’s another story tied to Bryn that reveals corruption at the highest levels, but it seems undercooked and only serves to move characters from point A to B. There were a few structural issues – missing quotation marks, some abrupt scene transitions – but nothing too distracting. The ending also felt incomplete, but I wonder if that is because Lewis intends to continue with these characters in future tales.
Overall, Lewis has created interesting people in perilous times and holds a mirror to current affairs. “Protest!” is a compelling, albeit incomplete, read.
April 23, 2026
"Protest" is a fictional story set in two fictional countries, one in Europe and one in Africa, spanning the present day and the immediate future. I appreciated how the author captured the essence of these two fictional nations, making the reader feel truly immersed and as if they were experiencing the settings firsthand. This suggests a deep level of research or personal experience by the author. For example, in Africa, the descriptions of the environment - the mopani trees, weaverbirds building nests, cooing doves, and the intense afternoon heat - truly evoke the feeling of the continent. Excellent work on that!
Furthermore, these descriptions were not sparse; they were detailed enough to allow the reader to feel a part of the depicted areas. The story itself is well-written and quite enjoyable, with engaging dialogue that includes elements of humour. I personally would have appreciated more descriptions of characters' emotions through their dialogue or body language - this is merely a suggestion for added depth to an already good book. I understand that such details might have been omitted to maintain narrative pacing, but they would have been a wonderful addition.
The story carries an educational message that resonates strongly with current global events. Many countries, especially in the developing world, see protests - even peaceful ones - leading to imprisonment and trials without due process. We see instances of human rights activists facing such traumas worldwide. In this narrative, an elderly woman is unjustly jailed simply for protesting.
I enjoyed the portrayal of Dr. Carys Kuta's character, highlighting her resilience during this difficult period. Imprisoned merely for demonstrating against the country's military adventurism. Cary’s character and experiences were effectively conveyed by the author.
Regarding areas for improvement, the book would benefit from some editing, including ensuring consistency in formatting. Nevertheless, it was a good read.
Furthermore, these descriptions were not sparse; they were detailed enough to allow the reader to feel a part of the depicted areas. The story itself is well-written and quite enjoyable, with engaging dialogue that includes elements of humour. I personally would have appreciated more descriptions of characters' emotions through their dialogue or body language - this is merely a suggestion for added depth to an already good book. I understand that such details might have been omitted to maintain narrative pacing, but they would have been a wonderful addition.
The story carries an educational message that resonates strongly with current global events. Many countries, especially in the developing world, see protests - even peaceful ones - leading to imprisonment and trials without due process. We see instances of human rights activists facing such traumas worldwide. In this narrative, an elderly woman is unjustly jailed simply for protesting.
I enjoyed the portrayal of Dr. Carys Kuta's character, highlighting her resilience during this difficult period. Imprisoned merely for demonstrating against the country's military adventurism. Cary’s character and experiences were effectively conveyed by the author.
Regarding areas for improvement, the book would benefit from some editing, including ensuring consistency in formatting. Nevertheless, it was a good read.
May 25, 2026
A teaser prologue immediately raises questions and arouses the reader’s curiosity, after which it’s hard to put this book down.
The plot has been adequately described in the blurb and other reviews. Suffice here to say that Joan Lewis’s Protest! is well crafted and pacy and that it has an original premise, a cast of varied, interesting and convincingly sketched characters, and a vivid sense of place (well, several places really — in the two countries involved, namely Anatania, a small European nation, and Ruwanze, Anatonia's former colony in Central Africa, now independent and thriving, and in the smaller scale settings where the plot points play out).
The dramatic first chapter describes a protest in Anatania against its ever more chillingly right-leaning government, and in particular the government’s supply of arms to fuel a conflict in West Africa. The viewer of the newsreel is Bryn, a journalist in Ruwanze, who is startled to see his own mother Carys, then aged 72, being dragged away by police officers (not a spoiler as this becomes clear very early on). As the narrative unfolds, we see Carys being remanded into custody where, in some of the most compelling scenes in the book, we follow her interactions with other women prisoners.
Throughout the book, the scenarios, from the bleak and seemingly hopeless to the joyous and colourful, are vividly described. The story unfolds at a good pace and the reader — at least this one — is rapidly invested with the main characters and their complex interrelationships. There is a neat subplot which is cleverly interwoven with the main events, and the resolution is satisfying.
A five-star read except that a careful line edit is needed: it’s hard to do a book justice when the flow of reading is repeatedly tripped by typos and formatting inconsistencies. Doubtless these will be soon fixed; in the meantime, read it for the story and the characters!
The plot has been adequately described in the blurb and other reviews. Suffice here to say that Joan Lewis’s Protest! is well crafted and pacy and that it has an original premise, a cast of varied, interesting and convincingly sketched characters, and a vivid sense of place (well, several places really — in the two countries involved, namely Anatania, a small European nation, and Ruwanze, Anatonia's former colony in Central Africa, now independent and thriving, and in the smaller scale settings where the plot points play out).
The dramatic first chapter describes a protest in Anatania against its ever more chillingly right-leaning government, and in particular the government’s supply of arms to fuel a conflict in West Africa. The viewer of the newsreel is Bryn, a journalist in Ruwanze, who is startled to see his own mother Carys, then aged 72, being dragged away by police officers (not a spoiler as this becomes clear very early on). As the narrative unfolds, we see Carys being remanded into custody where, in some of the most compelling scenes in the book, we follow her interactions with other women prisoners.
Throughout the book, the scenarios, from the bleak and seemingly hopeless to the joyous and colourful, are vividly described. The story unfolds at a good pace and the reader — at least this one — is rapidly invested with the main characters and their complex interrelationships. There is a neat subplot which is cleverly interwoven with the main events, and the resolution is satisfying.
A five-star read except that a careful line edit is needed: it’s hard to do a book justice when the flow of reading is repeatedly tripped by typos and formatting inconsistencies. Doubtless these will be soon fixed; in the meantime, read it for the story and the characters!
April 21, 2026
Thought-provoking contemporary novel hooked me immediately
This is the third book I've read by Joan Lewis, and I found it quite engrossing. From the first page of the prologue I was pulled in, and the storyline and characters gave me plenty to think about. What I most appreciated was the way the plot unravelled, teasing the reader with little hints and clues to back stories and motives not immediately apparent. The story is set in the present day and immediate future in the fictional European country of Anatania, as well as its former African colony of Ruwanze, now independent. The underlying themes of racial discrimination, immigration and political conspiracy feel quite prescient, and they're woven deftly into this timeless story of family bonds, unlikely friendships, loyalty and deception.
The writing is easy to read and engaging, especially in the early scenes set in a women's prison, where the author employed jokey humour to give a lift to the difficult back stories of some of the inmates. The arrival of seventy-two-year-old retired doctor, Carys Kuta, caused quite a stir there and I enjoyed those scenes immensely. I found the dialogue and characterisation a strength of the writing, with a diverse cast of plausible characters that I found it easy to empathise with. The story moved along at a good pace with plenty of twists to keep me turning the pages, all the way to the satisfying conclusion. If it wasn't for a number of proofreading and formatting issues I would have rated this book 5 stars. There's no sex or violence and only occasional mild swearing in this story, but it is thought-provoking. If you enjoy a contemporary story about fictional people living in disturbing times, not dissimilar to our own, 'Protest' is a book worth your time.
This is the third book I've read by Joan Lewis, and I found it quite engrossing. From the first page of the prologue I was pulled in, and the storyline and characters gave me plenty to think about. What I most appreciated was the way the plot unravelled, teasing the reader with little hints and clues to back stories and motives not immediately apparent. The story is set in the present day and immediate future in the fictional European country of Anatania, as well as its former African colony of Ruwanze, now independent. The underlying themes of racial discrimination, immigration and political conspiracy feel quite prescient, and they're woven deftly into this timeless story of family bonds, unlikely friendships, loyalty and deception.
The writing is easy to read and engaging, especially in the early scenes set in a women's prison, where the author employed jokey humour to give a lift to the difficult back stories of some of the inmates. The arrival of seventy-two-year-old retired doctor, Carys Kuta, caused quite a stir there and I enjoyed those scenes immensely. I found the dialogue and characterisation a strength of the writing, with a diverse cast of plausible characters that I found it easy to empathise with. The story moved along at a good pace with plenty of twists to keep me turning the pages, all the way to the satisfying conclusion. If it wasn't for a number of proofreading and formatting issues I would have rated this book 5 stars. There's no sex or violence and only occasional mild swearing in this story, but it is thought-provoking. If you enjoy a contemporary story about fictional people living in disturbing times, not dissimilar to our own, 'Protest' is a book worth your time.
April 19, 2026
Reading Protest! left me with a sense of energy and reflection. The story captures the essence of human connection when life becomes unpredictable. I felt a deep bond with Carys and her resilience. Her perspective brings a level of wisdom that grounds the more chaotic moments of the book. Watching her navigate the challenges of her situation made me consider the strength found in older generations. The narrative balance kept me focused on the page for hours. I experienced a mix of tension and hope as the various characters crossed paths. Their interactions felt genuine and reminded me of the importance of community. The author builds a world that feels immediate and lived in. Every chapter added a new layer of emotion that stayed with me long after I closed the cover.
The relationships in the book are the true heart of the experience. I loved how the author portrayed the shift in family loyalties and the formation of new bonds under pressure. These connections felt like an anchor in a storm. My mood shifted from concern to excitement as the story reached its peak. The surprise ending provided a sense of closure that felt earned rather than forced. I walked away from the final page feeling inspired by the spirit of the characters. This book is a reminder that people can find common ground and support one another in difficult times. It is a work that values the human heart and the ties that bind us together. I will recommend this to anyone who appreciates a story about grit and friendship.
The relationships in the book are the true heart of the experience. I loved how the author portrayed the shift in family loyalties and the formation of new bonds under pressure. These connections felt like an anchor in a storm. My mood shifted from concern to excitement as the story reached its peak. The surprise ending provided a sense of closure that felt earned rather than forced. I walked away from the final page feeling inspired by the spirit of the characters. This book is a reminder that people can find common ground and support one another in difficult times. It is a work that values the human heart and the ties that bind us together. I will recommend this to anyone who appreciates a story about grit and friendship.
April 29, 2026
This was a little distraction what i generally read. From the moment I started Protest!, I felt a strong mix of momentum and introspection. The story captures the power of human connection when circumstances become uncertain. I was particularly drawn to Carys and her quiet resilience. Her perspective brings a sense of wisdom that steadies the more chaotic moments in the narrative. Following her journey made me reflect on the strength often found in older generations. The storytelling flows smoothly, keeping me engaged for long stretches, while the crossing paths of different characters created a blend of tension and hope. Their interactions felt natural and served as a reminder of how important community can be. The setting feels vivid and real, and each chapter adds another layer of emotion that lingers even after finishing the book.
At its core, the novel shines through its relationships. The way shifting family dynamics and new connections are portrayed under pressure is particularly compelling. These bonds act as a source of stability amid uncertainty. As the story builds, my emotions moved from worry to anticipation, leading up to a strong and satisfying conclusion. The ending felt well-deserved and meaningful. I finished the book feeling uplifted by the characters’ spirit and sense of unity. It’s a powerful reminder of how people can come together and support each other through difficult moments. I would gladly recommend it to anyone who values stories centered on resilience and meaningful relationships.
At its core, the novel shines through its relationships. The way shifting family dynamics and new connections are portrayed under pressure is particularly compelling. These bonds act as a source of stability amid uncertainty. As the story builds, my emotions moved from worry to anticipation, leading up to a strong and satisfying conclusion. The ending felt well-deserved and meaningful. I finished the book feeling uplifted by the characters’ spirit and sense of unity. It’s a powerful reminder of how people can come together and support each other through difficult moments. I would gladly recommend it to anyone who values stories centered on resilience and meaningful relationships.
May 5, 2026
I loved reading this book.
We quickly dive into a scene where the seventy-two year old Carys is unceremoniously dragged into a police van for no particular reason – an uncomfortable reminder of what has been taking place in Russia over the past few years and more recently in the US itself. In spite of the shock of brutal confinement, the author brings to life Carys’s empathy with her new found inmates. The development of her relationship with Debs inspiring her to study to eventually become a doctor is well written. I loved the way the inmates, coming from a variety of unsavoury backgrounds, gradually begin to admire and respect Carys – and Carys in turn is able to turn around their lives.
I liked the way Carys helped to maintain her sanity by admiring the view of the clouds beyond the prison bars and the winter trees. Even her study of the orb-weaver spider and the magpies.
The second part of the book moves forward in time with her estranged son finally striving to make contact with his mother. As foreshadowed earlier, this lays the ground for Bryn’s realisation that his boss has a dark secret, that may finally signal the end of the fascist regime in Anatania – if only it could be this easy in real life.
The author has dealt sensitively with the many real life issues of today – repression of minorities, the growing authoritarianism and drug addiction, and weaved them into a heart warming story.
We quickly dive into a scene where the seventy-two year old Carys is unceremoniously dragged into a police van for no particular reason – an uncomfortable reminder of what has been taking place in Russia over the past few years and more recently in the US itself. In spite of the shock of brutal confinement, the author brings to life Carys’s empathy with her new found inmates. The development of her relationship with Debs inspiring her to study to eventually become a doctor is well written. I loved the way the inmates, coming from a variety of unsavoury backgrounds, gradually begin to admire and respect Carys – and Carys in turn is able to turn around their lives.
I liked the way Carys helped to maintain her sanity by admiring the view of the clouds beyond the prison bars and the winter trees. Even her study of the orb-weaver spider and the magpies.
The second part of the book moves forward in time with her estranged son finally striving to make contact with his mother. As foreshadowed earlier, this lays the ground for Bryn’s realisation that his boss has a dark secret, that may finally signal the end of the fascist regime in Anatania – if only it could be this easy in real life.
The author has dealt sensitively with the many real life issues of today – repression of minorities, the growing authoritarianism and drug addiction, and weaved them into a heart warming story.
May 15, 2026
Protest! by Joan Lewis is a thoughtful, timely and surprisingly warm novel about frightening political times, personal courage, and the odd places where human kindness manages to survive. The story centres on Carys, a seventy-two-year-old retired doctor who is arrested after attending a peaceful protest. The image of an elderly woman being dragged away for holding a cardboard sign is both shocking and uncomfortably believable, which gives the book much of its power.
Carys is easily the strongest part of the novel. Her resilience, intelligence and quiet compassion make her a lovely character to follow, especially during the prison scenes, where her relationships with the other women become the emotional heart of the story. These friendships bring humour and humanity to what could otherwise have been a very bleak read.
The wider political plot, involving her estranged son Bryn, corruption, racial tension and authoritarian control, is interesting and often gripping, though at times it feels a little less fully developed than Carys’s storyline. There are also a few proofreading and formatting issues, and some scene transitions could have been smoother.
Even so, this is an engaging, compassionate and relevant novel with memorable characters, strong themes, and plenty to think about. A few rough edges, yes, but definitely worth reading.
Carys is easily the strongest part of the novel. Her resilience, intelligence and quiet compassion make her a lovely character to follow, especially during the prison scenes, where her relationships with the other women become the emotional heart of the story. These friendships bring humour and humanity to what could otherwise have been a very bleak read.
The wider political plot, involving her estranged son Bryn, corruption, racial tension and authoritarian control, is interesting and often gripping, though at times it feels a little less fully developed than Carys’s storyline. There are also a few proofreading and formatting issues, and some scene transitions could have been smoother.
Even so, this is an engaging, compassionate and relevant novel with memorable characters, strong themes, and plenty to think about. A few rough edges, yes, but definitely worth reading.
May 16, 2026
When I saw Protest!, I knew I had to read it. As someone who enjoys political stories, I was intrigued by the premise—even though it’s not a thriller in the traditional sense. Joan Lewis delivers a plausible and engaging narrative set in a Northern European country sliding into dictatorship and its former African colony, now a democracy. The contrast between these worlds is thought-provoking and forms the backbone of the story.
The protagonist, retired doctor Carys Kuta, is arrested for attending a protest in her increasingly authoritarian home country. Her son, meanwhile, lives in the former colony, now a modern, democratic state. Lewis weaves their stories together in a way that feels both personal and politically urgent. The characters—Carys, her fellow inmates, and her son—are all well-developed and relatable, and their struggles feel real. The pacing improves as the story progresses, especially after Carys’s release from prison.
What I appreciate most is how Protest! tackles themes of intolerance, racism, and liberal values without being preachy. The fictional setting feels painfully real, like something that could unfold in today’s world. It’s a bold, engaging read that stands out from the crowd. Five stars, because it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
The protagonist, retired doctor Carys Kuta, is arrested for attending a protest in her increasingly authoritarian home country. Her son, meanwhile, lives in the former colony, now a modern, democratic state. Lewis weaves their stories together in a way that feels both personal and politically urgent. The characters—Carys, her fellow inmates, and her son—are all well-developed and relatable, and their struggles feel real. The pacing improves as the story progresses, especially after Carys’s release from prison.
What I appreciate most is how Protest! tackles themes of intolerance, racism, and liberal values without being preachy. The fictional setting feels painfully real, like something that could unfold in today’s world. It’s a bold, engaging read that stands out from the crowd. Five stars, because it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
April 22, 2026
I realised after I’d finished Protest! that it’s actually the second Joan Lewis book I’ve read and while it is certainly different from The Scent of Wild Garlic I think it expands her cannon in a nice way. The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the character of Carys. I thought it was ballsy and impressive that she was arrested at a protest at age 72 and I really liked following her journey beyond that. While I wasn’t always convinced that the events that took place in the novel were likely they always felt possible which I believe is quite a feet especially considering this novel establishes an entire fictional country in a way that feels very credible. I didn’t connect as much with the character of Bryn but I want to commend Joan on her brave choice to write about a racial experience that (assumption) is not her own. Some people would have a problem with this, but I believe it enriches both the world and our own empathy when we try and write from the experience of characters who we can’t fully share. There’s only so many times you can write exclusively what you know after all.
May 17, 2026
I almost gave up during the opening chapters because the writing can get very overdescriptive at times, but I’m glad I stuck with it because the prison sections ended up being the strongest part of the book for me.
Carys is a really interesting main character. She’s stubborn, lonely and idealistic without feeling unrealistically heroic, and some of the relationships she develops in prison were genuinely touching. I also liked that the story focused more on people trying to hold onto their humanity than on turning into some big rebellion thriller.
You can tell the author has a strong message she wants to get across, and I did appreciate the sincerity behind it. I think the author is probably more comfortable writing the smaller personal moments than the bigger political speeches honestly but those quieter prison scenes were the bits I ended up caring about most.
Still, I kept wanting to go back to it, mainly because I became invested in the characters and wanted to see where they ended up.
Carys is a really interesting main character. She’s stubborn, lonely and idealistic without feeling unrealistically heroic, and some of the relationships she develops in prison were genuinely touching. I also liked that the story focused more on people trying to hold onto their humanity than on turning into some big rebellion thriller.
You can tell the author has a strong message she wants to get across, and I did appreciate the sincerity behind it. I think the author is probably more comfortable writing the smaller personal moments than the bigger political speeches honestly but those quieter prison scenes were the bits I ended up caring about most.
Still, I kept wanting to go back to it, mainly because I became invested in the characters and wanted to see where they ended up.
May 22, 2026
I thought Protest! was a good little story and it held my attention. I worked through it in stages and over several days.
I was impressed with the imagination shown in constructing the two mythical countries that were the main settings for the story. One in Europe and one in Africa, their non-specific descriptions allow the reader to paint pictures in their own minds as to the type of society that exists in each. With the African country being the primary setting, where the ‘Protest’ is centred, it was easy to get the feeling of what living there would have been like. With a corrupt authoritarian regime in charge and ordinary people suffering if they stood against it, it all felt quite relevant to today’s world.
The characters are powerful. Fragmented families patch things up and unlikely friendships form. With plenty of sudden and expected twists and turns, it provokes thought as to how we’re still at the stage where such regimes exist and keep getting away with it.
I was impressed with the imagination shown in constructing the two mythical countries that were the main settings for the story. One in Europe and one in Africa, their non-specific descriptions allow the reader to paint pictures in their own minds as to the type of society that exists in each. With the African country being the primary setting, where the ‘Protest’ is centred, it was easy to get the feeling of what living there would have been like. With a corrupt authoritarian regime in charge and ordinary people suffering if they stood against it, it all felt quite relevant to today’s world.
The characters are powerful. Fragmented families patch things up and unlikely friendships form. With plenty of sudden and expected twists and turns, it provokes thought as to how we’re still at the stage where such regimes exist and keep getting away with it.
May 22, 2026
I found this book to be so relevant to what is happening today for immigrants to the US. It is a ballsy outlook and one that can give the reader a whole new perspective. Carys is an older protagonist with moral character that is exemplary.
Although it's fiction, this novel is an important part of understanding the political scene in much of the world today for minorities.
Although it's fiction, this novel is an important part of understanding the political scene in much of the world today for minorities.
May 2, 2026
A finely paced plot and psychological realism make for a very engaging read. Deftly woven themes centred on the life of a political activist span two continents and reflect major concerns of our times.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews