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andrew61's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am still trying to digest this remarkable piece of writing.
The story is of a charismatic Jewish man, Jacob Frank in 18th century Poland who become leader of a cult that believe he is the next messiah and leads his followers to convert the Christianity. Told over 900 pages ( which are numbered backwards) it is told in the voices of the people around him as they observe his progress from a young boy who disappears in a local cave to an elderly man lashing out at those who surround him as he face death. These voices are diverse including his local aristocratic sponsor, a female poet, a book loving priest, franks chronolger, and his grandmother who on her death bed takes a spell into her mouth and lives in spirit forever overseeing the life of her grandson.
In between he builds such a following that they create a small town and he appears to begin to abuse his control.
Frank , who was a real character is unlikeable but the cult of the messiah is compelling in a society where anti-Semitism is rife informed by misconceptions of religion including the belief that Jews sacrifice gentile babies for their beliefs leading to persecution.
Like a similar messiah Sabbatai Zevi, who converted to Islam, the basis of Frank's ideology was a conversion from Judaism while retaining their customs and beliefs and among scenes that are described vividly are the mass baptisms that occur.
Frank quickly however is denounced and following a trial in which one of his followers betrays him he is imprisoned for many years although quickly exploits his monastic jailors.
This book was a slow but rewarding read as it explored a period of history I knew little about but the issues still permeate through the centuries both in terms of the creation of states in Eastern Europe but also the tolerance or otherwise of religion.
The story is of a charismatic Jewish man, Jacob Frank in 18th century Poland who become leader of a cult that believe he is the next messiah and leads his followers to convert the Christianity. Told over 900 pages ( which are numbered backwards) it is told in the voices of the people around him as they observe his progress from a young boy who disappears in a local cave to an elderly man lashing out at those who surround him as he face death. These voices are diverse including his local aristocratic sponsor, a female poet, a book loving priest, franks chronolger, and his grandmother who on her death bed takes a spell into her mouth and lives in spirit forever overseeing the life of her grandson.
In between he builds such a following that they create a small town and he appears to begin to abuse his control.
Frank , who was a real character is unlikeable but the cult of the messiah is compelling in a society where anti-Semitism is rife informed by misconceptions of religion including the belief that Jews sacrifice gentile babies for their beliefs leading to persecution.
Like a similar messiah Sabbatai Zevi, who converted to Islam, the basis of Frank's ideology was a conversion from Judaism while retaining their customs and beliefs and among scenes that are described vividly are the mass baptisms that occur.
Frank quickly however is denounced and following a trial in which one of his followers betrays him he is imprisoned for many years although quickly exploits his monastic jailors.
This book was a slow but rewarding read as it explored a period of history I knew little about but the issues still permeate through the centuries both in terms of the creation of states in Eastern Europe but also the tolerance or otherwise of religion.
bozonbozonski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stinkycheeseboy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jessilcruz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
troymcclure's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
edwards1981's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Way too long, could have taken a solid 150 pages easy off the story. Character name changes while I understand, were a bit to deal with.
qpmnguyen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
avidreadr's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible achievement of novel. Deeply researched, immersive, unique. Truly like no other novel I've read. As a reader I tend to prefer deep character studies, so the overarching historical aspect wasn't my favorite but does kind of define the novel (Structurally anyways) IMO and that's not a bad thing. Again, super unique.
aristarcodisamo's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Antisemitism, Hate crime, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, War, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual content, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Violence