A Jewish woman who is dying for decades is used as an omnipotent narrator to connect events, it is a masterful stroke.Īs I mentioned, this is certainly a slow read. Most of the story is told through the people surrounding Jacob Frank, believers, non-believers, and charlatans alike. The political aspect, and influences of the Ottoman and European Empires, are also incorporated into the story and give it a richer context. Tokarczuk shows how Frank’s followers influenced notables over decades, including the French Revolution, as well as American courts. Geography is a major part of telling the story, as the concentration of Jews at the time in the Polish/Ukraine area was very big, if not the biggest, in that specific region. The story is told within a historical, and geographical context. But also outlandish scams of an outstanding charlatan, and all the makings of a cult including sex, money, and a court. Tokarczuk presents authentic ideas, honest beliefs, and close personal relationships. The book manages to recreate the image of Jacob Frank and his followers, instead of the prevalent “false Messiah” narrative, the author tells a religious/cult mentality which is much more enjoyable. In my humble, layperson’s opinion, the book is in the same class as Tolstoy’s War and Peace.

Laypersons Gain Some Understanding, and Melancholy Souls Obtain Some Slight Enjoyment by Olga Tokarczuk is a superb masterpiece. The Which Being the Greatest Natural Gift of Any Person that the Wise Might Have it for a Record. Told by the Dead, Supplemented by the Author, Drawing from a Range of Books, and Aided by Imagination.

Nevertheless, The Books of Jacob: or a Fantastic Journey Across Seven Borders, Five Languages, And Three Major Religions, Not Counting the Minor Sects. I did, however, notice almost immediately that each page takes me about twice as long to read as other books. Some pages took me several tries to decode or understand, others were a breeze. It is complex, literary, multi-lingual, and has many Jewish and Christian philosophies entrenched. I have to admit that this book has taken me much longer to read than anticipated. Right off the bat, this was something special.

I knew I was in for a treat when I opened up the book and noticed the page numbers start from the end. More Books translated by Jennifer Croft* Thoughts: This book won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk (translated by Jennifer Croft) is a historical fiction novel, following an 18 th-century Jewish man who convinces many Jews that he is the Messiah.

The book of jacob olga