The Books of Jacob

During the mid-eighteenth century, amid a wave of new revolutionary thoughts and unrest across the Continent, a young Jew of enigmatic origins arrives in a Polish village. Soon after, he not only changes his name but also transforms his identity. Jacob Frank experiences what appear to be ecstatic visions, captivating a growing group of devoted followers. Over the ensuing decade, Frank journeys through the Hapsburg and Ottoman empires with a multitude of disciples mesmerized by his charisma. He continuously reinvents himself, converting to both Islam and Catholicism, gaining notoriety as a heretic, yet also being venerated as the Messiah. His actions disrupt traditional Jewish and Christian orders, fueled by scandalous rumors of his sect’s secretive rituals and his increasingly unorthodox beliefs. Frank, a historical figure shrouded in enduring mystery and controversy, becomes the ideal subject for Olga Tokarczuk's storytelling prowess. "The Books of Jacob" is narrated from the viewpoints of his contemporaries—those who admire him, those who detest him, the friend who betrays him, and a solitary woman who recognizes his true nature. The novel vividly depicts a world on the brink of dramatic change, in search of certainty and yearning for higher meaning.