Episode 2

In her new novel, the award-winning writer Naomi Alderman (author of 'Disobedience' and 'The Lessons') provides a visceral fictional account of life in Roman-occupied Judea.

Within this context of Roman brutality and Jewish insurrection, Alderman presents the life and death of a charismatic Jewish preacher, Yehoshuah. A year after his death, four people tell their stories - his mother, Miryam; his former friend and follower Iehuda of Qeriot; the High Priest at the great Temple in Jerusalem, Caiaphas and the rebel, Bar-Avo.

In today's episode, Miryam, puts her village of Nazaret in danger by continuing to shelter the young man, Gidon, a follower of her dead preacher son. His presence in her house awakens memories of her son, Yehoshuah, but he also gives her some shocking news.

Read by Tracy-Ann Oberman
Abridged by Sally Marmion
Produced by Emma Harding.