"The Books of Jacob" on the Bestseller List. Publisher Forced to Order Reprint
In August 2025, the publishing house Gyldendal released the Norwegian translation of Olga Tokarczuk's "Jakobsbøkene," translated by Julia Więdłocha. The book quickly gained popularity, making the bestseller lists for three weeks and selling out its entire print run. In response to the high demand, the publisher decided to order a quick reprint.
Olga Tokarczuk was already acclaimed in Norway even before the translation was published.
Fot. Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
"Jakobsbøkene" is the Norwegian translation of the work by Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Julia Więdłocha. The translator worked on "The Books of Jacob" for seven years. Gyldendal published the book in August, receiving favorable reviews from literary critics. For three weeks, the work remained on the bestseller lists.
Favorable Opinions from Norwegian Critics
"Jakobsbøkene" has been described as a work that challenges genre conventions and offers a new perspective on European history. Critic Trygve Riiser Gundersen, in his review for Klassekampen, stated that Więdłocha's translation is "vivid, breathing, boundlessly eager and curious."
The book has also been repeatedly highlighted in the media as one of Tokarczuk's most important works, forming part of her literary legacy. The author received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2018, which further emphasizes the significance of "The Books of Jacob" for Norwegians.
The book has also been repeatedly highlighted in the media as one of Tokarczuk's most important works, forming part of her literary legacy. The author received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2018, which further emphasizes the significance of "The Books of Jacob" for Norwegians.
In 2022, Tokarczuk was awarded the honorary professorship of the University of Oslo.Photo: Tomasz Leśniowski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
"The Books of Jacob" a Hit in Norway
Due to the rapid sell-out of the first print run, Gyldendal plans to release a new edition of the book on September 25, 2025. In some bookstores, copies from the first edition are still available.
The publisher reports that the response from readers and critics has been very strong and exceeded initial expectations. The new print run is intended to meet the growing demand and ensure the book is available to a wider audience.
The publisher reports that the response from readers and critics has been very strong and exceeded initial expectations. The new print run is intended to meet the growing demand and ensure the book is available to a wider audience.
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