JEZEBEL

Welsh actress Perdita Weeks gives a spirited performance as Jezebel, the infamous Old Testament queen of Israel. Born in the neighboring kingdom of Tyre (now Lebanon), she is married off to Ahab, the king of Israel. Weeks captures Jezebel's imperious nature and sense of entitlement with a haughty accent. Yet she also imbues Jezebel with warmth and humanity; when Jezebel speaks of her children and her loyal friends, Weeks's voice softens to match the mood. When Jezebel becomes enamored with Elijah, the king's scribe and later a prophet of Yahweh, their affair sets in motion a cataclysmic chain of events. Vividly narrated, this novel will dazzle many listeners. D.G.L. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2023]