aristarcodisamo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

alisonburnis's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is Tokarczuk’s magnum opus, nearly 1000 pages in the English translation. It follows the life of the enigmatic Jacob Frank, a Jewish man living in the 18th century who claims to be the Messiah, attracting devoted followers and creating a sect known as Frankism. Told from the stories of those around him, this is a sprawling story, covering his rise, the trials of his followers, who were cast out by their fellow Jews and not accepted by Christians, and their journeys from place to place in Eastern Europe. 

This is a slow, ponderous novel. It is long and you feel every page of it. Philosophical and probing, The Books of Jacob is dense but rewarding. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings