Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD...A TWIST TO THE FAMILIAR STORIES
YOU PROBABLY GREW UP WITH...GOOD TO BE ABLE TO SEE THINGS WITH A
DIFFERENT SLANT AND TO LAUGH AT THE POSSIBILITIES.

At first, I was a little offended by this book. But after telling myself it is fiction, I found it to be very fun and hilarious. I loved it.

Christopher Moore is more than a little crazy........but then genius is often labeled that way.

He most obviously did extensive research for this book (seriously, not kidding here) and puts a very humorous twist to his conjecture on how Christ spent the "un-documented" years.

A very enjoyable read, especially if you have any kind of religious training left over from your youth (and not just Christian either).

Highly recommended.

I admit, I laughed my way through the first half of this book. Moore has a knack for dialog, mixing the bizarre and mundane at will and with great success. The random factor is deliciously high, but not obnoxiously so, and the sparse, oddly-focused prose fits the subject matter perfectly.

But- you knew there was a but coming -I put this book down after the first part and I do not ever wish to have anything to do with it ever again. Moore chose to use the only prominent female character (Maggie, AKA Mary Magdalene) as a plot device in the most offensive way possible. Not only is she forced into a marriage to someone she hates, but the two male leads are perfectly happy to leave her behind while they set off for an adventure.

Please. This is the twentieth century. This situation is not only trite, but misogynist. Perhaps it fits the time period where the book is set. This is a book about Jesus where a character sings a dirge involving the phrase "wacka wacka", so spare me.

Christopher Moore, women are not plot devices or chattel. Thanks for nothing!

Although I have only read the first one hundred pages or so, I found myself chuckling out loud at points. The only other author who has illicitted that affect on my is Davis Sedaris. A basic knowledge of christian theology is helpful to understand the "inside jokes" but not necessary to enjoy this book. The recount of Jesus (Josh) as preteen acting out biblical stories, the likes of Lot and the Sodomites is absolutely hysterical. In addition to the biblical satire, such humane issues like adolescent love (and lust) are addressed in an authentic, charming manner. I look forward to finishing it and would recommend a read.