Everything Is Illuminated

Content Warning: The source material contains references to suicide, rape, and murder. In addition, the source material uses outdated, offensive terms for Romani people throughout, which is replicated in this guide only in direct quotes of the source material.

Because Safran is paid by the Slouchers to visit the widows, he saves up enough money to start thinking about a family of his own. Beyond having sex with the widows, he is also having sex with virgins, in each of the sexual positions outlined on a pack of playing cards loaned by a friend. He is good at school but finds it boring. At school, they learn the history of Trachimbrod from The Book of Antecedents, written by the town’s citizens. When they began writing the book, it only documented major events, but over time it has become a play-by-play history of the town and all its inhabitants, recording daily—even hourly—activities.

Several of the book’s entries are reproduced in the novel, entries that Jonathan feels Safran may have looked up in his time. Among these entries is another account of Brod’s rape. This time, more of the story is revealed, including details about the rape by Sofiowka, the Kolker at her window, and