“A Larger Realm of Reality”: Jewish Women in Olga Tokarczuk’s The Books of Jacob (2014)

Summary This article explores Olga Tokarczuk’s historical novel The Books of Jacob as a feminist narrative that challenges established memory regimes in Poland and East-Central Europe. I argue that Tokarczuk’s ex-centric storytelling approach, emphasizing a “micro-history approach,” offers an alternative perspective on the Jewish past by foregrounding strong female figures and depicting violence against Jewish women. This ex-centric perspective, as Tokarczuk defines it, involves consciously leaving the center to reveal overlooked aspects of history and memory. The article contends that, despite being fictional, Tokarczuk’s narrative contributes to the creation of new historical truths by transcending androcentric constructions of historiography, thereby bringing marginalized experiences, particularly those of women, to the forefront. Examining archival images alongside the literary text, the article challenges stereotypical depictions of Jewish women, presenting them as strong and present characters. A feminist reading of the novel additionally unveils the hidden tragedies of sexual violence faced by Jewish women. Central to this exploration is the character Yente, who transcends time and space, embodying one of Tokarczuk’s innovative narratological tools. In summary, the analysis of The Books of Jacob demonstrates the potential of fiction to act as a vehicle for alternative narratives which also include uncomfortable historical truths.