The Books of Jacob

Jacob, his family, and his followers arrive in Offenbach in a caravan of coaches, headed by a cadre of soldiers dressed in “gaudy uniforms” (107). The local people are fascinated by the arrival of this Polish baron and his beautiful daughter. They spread rumors about Jacob, who moves into a recently-renovated castle which has a history of flooding. Jacob is in poor health, but he writes many letters to his followers, telling them to join him in Offenbach. Thomas visits frequently as he has secured lines of credit for Jacob. Jacob becomes enraged whenever his ideas or plans are criticized; he lambasts the “simpletons” (100) who do not trust or follow his guidance. His old age is becoming more physically apparent and he must be treated with care.

A woman named Zwierzchowska runs Jacob’s household. She is still guilty for telling a lie which instigated a pogrom against the Jewish people who threatened Jacob’s followers. Jacob’s house guard is trained and overseen by Prince Jerzy Marcin Lubomirski, a disgraced, broke nobleman who “cannot shake his reputation as a traitor and a rabble-rouser” (96). He met Jacob during the monastery siege and, after a lifetime of disgracing himself, believes that Jacob is fated to help him recover his good name.