A searing spiritual memoir that explores the far-reaching influence of Jezebel across generations and what it takes to overcome it
The Jezebel Tracks delivers an edgy synthesis of remembering and evangelizing. It’s rooted in Gardner Landry’s belief that covert Christian narcissism reflects the spiritual influences of the Biblical Jezebel—the wicked queen. Getting away from this persona is not only possible but essential to survival. These eleven essays show why.
Gardner Landry spent his youth under the control of his unpredictable father, Fred, an overt narcissist. His maternal grandmother, Mema, was a covert Christian narcissist. She ruled the family with an iron grip despite a façade of genteel manners and motherly concern. This slow-burning collection of essays is kept aflame with Biblical and cultural references, quotes, and ideas.
Demonic forces have stalked Landry’s family for generations, culminating in one final battle for control over his heart and mind. His painful review of a materially rich yet emotionally starved life relies heavily on that Jezebel spirit, especially when it came to money and the way Mema would use it to exert her will over others.
“The F Word” focuses on Landry’s struggle with the juxtaposition of his father, Fred, and God the Father. How can a Christian trust in a loving, heavenly father without any frame of reference for what that looks like at home? And while Fred and Mema both caused Landry significant pain, “The Death of Fred” and “The Death of Mema” offer two very different outcomes when mercy is offered.
Landry is a delightfully languid storyteller. Some of his best writing profiles Houston and New Orleans and will delight armchair travelers. He explores the cities’ intertwined history, culture, and influences on his family. His writing moves effortlessly between past and present, highlighting his ancestors’ actions as comfortably as his close friends’ support.
To Landry, it’s not only families affected by the demonic but entire regions. With age and distance, Fred and Mema’s deeply damaging behaviors are now eyed by Landry with clarity. Family history, geography, economics, and cultural expectations all play a role in their actions. Turning these ideas over and over into multiple essays allows for substantial depth, but they also bleed into repetition. By the end of the book, though, it feels like the writing process and results have been cathartic for Landry. He has wrung out any part of Fred and Mema that saturated his life.
Ultimately a triumphant spiritual memoir, The Jezebel Tracks is Landry’s reclaiming of his Christian birthright, and his Afterword is perhaps the most persuasive writing in the whole book. He is emphatic on the importance of holding onto even the smallest glimmer of faith during the hardest times of your life. Landry also stresses looking honestly at friends and family who seem too good to be true. Maybe they are genuine in their care and concern. Or maybe they’re covert narcissists or even enlisted by Jezebel to engineer your destruction.
Walking away from these dynamics is the only way to save yourself, your sanity, and your soul. His genuine encouragement closes the book on a truly hopeful note for readers dealing with loved ones who have narcissistic tendencies.
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