Infinite Books

Olga Tokarczuk’s “The Books of Jacob” is not just a novel. With almost 1000 pages, for a reader, it’s a commitment. My plan was to read one chapter daily – the story consists of thirty-one, combined into five books. In the end, it turned out that I finished it much quicker than anticipated, binging on it like on a favorite show.

“The Books of Jacob” is indeed Tokarczuk’s magnum opus. It’s based on the life of Jacob Frank, a mysterious Jew who in 18th century Poland proclaimed himself the messiah, denouncing the Talmud and traditional Jewish teachings and customs. He declared that to find the truth, one has to step into the lowest levels of existence – in practice, it meant leaving the old ways of life – and follow him as a spiritual leader. Charismatic and vain, he eventually controlled his followers completely, encouraging and even requiring engaging in sexual acts outside of marriage. He was thought to have supernatural powers and healing abilities; his virility was legendary. Physically, he was an imposing figure: tall, wearing a Turkish-style hat, he often burst into a song, followed by dancing, which made others adore him.

It’s interesting that although the novel revolves around Jacob, we don’t exactly know what he thinks – we see him through different people’s eyes. This style can be compared to gospels: told by many narrators who follow Jacob. At some point, the sect’s beliefs came close to the Catholic faith, and the Polish bishops embraced the opportunity; they saw the baptism of Jews as a massive success in the eyes of the Vatican. For Jacob’s baptized followers, it meant they would be allowed to own land and enjoy many freedoms not available to Jews. However, what goes up must come down – soon, the interrogations follow, and Jacob is imprisoned for thirteen years, ironically in the most sacred Polish monastery. Released after the partition of Poland, he spends his last years of life in the Moravian town of Brno, living with his daughter Eve in luxury, surrounded by the retinue of faithful followers, and then moving to Offenbach in Germany.

Reading this novel was a pleasure, a slow walk in the forest full of scents, sounds, and dances, observing the landscape created so skillfully by the author and, in a way, understanding those 18th century people, their joys and tragedies, fear of death and longing for eternal life. This is a beautiful, meaningful, and poetic book. And additionally, it can – literally and metaphorically – stand on its own.

THE BOOKS OF JACOB by Olga Tokarczuk, Riverhead Books, 2022