Books of Jacob | I. Book of Fog, Chapter 4
"A true writer has no biography."
The story of the priest’s life is the story of the books he read and wrote. A true writer has no biography…. In this way he [Benedykt Chmielowski] discovered that writing saves.”
Tokarczuk, The Books of Jacob, I. Fog, Chapter 4, p. 891
In chapter 4, the priest Benedykt Chmielowski learns the limits of his bookish knowledge. His new friend Elżbieta Drużbacka gently chides him by making his books incomprehensible to most Poles and educated women by publishing them in Latin. They begin their correspondence. It will become one of the delights of this novel, "giving one fantastic pretexts for thinking of how very great and complex this world is” (p. 887).
More fatefully, we meet Bishop Kajetan Sołtyk, coadjutor of Kiev. He broods on his compulsion to play cards. He hocks his episcopal jewellery to pay his debts. He broods on his hatred of the Jews, and his revulsion that Poland is too full of the Jews. Vibrant Jewish society threatens to replace the cultural dominion of the Catholic Church. He defies the Pope’s own edicts to spread the malicious ‘blood libel’
Kajetan Sołtyk is the character this week. The portrait of him housed near Tokarczuk’s home was painted two years before the action of this chapter. You can see the ring he hocked near the centre of the frame.
Tokarczuk describes his love of cards as a philosophy of life and society:
“cards unite people better than faith or language. You sit down at the table, you fan out your cards, and there follows an order that is understandable to anyone. And one must simply adapt to that order, if one wishes to win.” (p. 905)
Sołtyk represents the Catholic Church, a powerful institution in 18th century Poland. His resentments, libels, debts, and religion will drive forward Jacob Frank’s story to tragedy. His later impact on Jacob explains why many orthodox Jews believe Frank betrayed them.
For paid subscribers below I have some more notes to enrich your Slow Read.
chat question - about the book that Tokarczuk’s subtitle epigram came from.
character, Kajetan Sołtyk - another real, controversial historical character
context - the Catholic Church in 18th century Poland.
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