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

Wonder how Jesus dealt with puberty? Ever thought about how he might have used his spiritual gifts when the Big Man Upstairs wasn't looking? Christopher more has plenty of ideas about this and more.

The narrative reads a bit like some odd combination of "Scrubs" and "The West Wing," with main characters like Bif always at the ready with a dry, acerbic comeback for any situation. It's not realistic dialogue by any means, but hey, if you can get past the premise of this fictitious account of Jesus' missing years, then the stylized non-period-appropriate jargon will not bother you in the least.

This is one of the few books that has made me laugh out loud in several years. Being a theologian and writer myself, it's so refreshing to see someone so facile with words and also so sensitive to the human condition take such an irreverent jab at many old religious conventions. Anyone who considers themselves to be a biblical literalist, or who rejects outright the idea that, just maybe, other people and religions from cultures beyond his own influenced Jesus' ministry will have a hard time wading through this book. In fact, I sent a copy to my mother, a Southern Baptist, and surprisingly she loved it; her husband, however, found no humor in it at all.

My advice is to get over yourself and any hangups you have about what you think the life of Jesus was, or had to be, or should have been, and just enjoy this as a story about a special kid with an irrepressible calling. Then just sit back and enjoy watching it all unfold - or should I say, unravel?

Oh, and if you don't laugh when you find out how Jesus helped a young man learn to pee around corners, you lack a single humorous bone in your body. Quit reading immediately and go on to something more your speed, like the encyclopedia.

We all know of Peter, Paul & Mary. But do you know of Josh, Biff & Maggie? First, we aren't talking about singing; although I wouldn't have been surprised to have seen some "Louie, Louie" lyrics.

My wife doesn't have to take the time to read this since I was constantly interrupting her by reading passages from this to her. I hate it when someone does that to me, but I really couldn't stop myself.

I kept thinking of the books by Jack Douglas (Never Trust a Naked Bus Driver; My Brother Was an Only Child; ...). If you have never read his stuff, you have missed some humor classics.

If you enjoy laughing, read this book. If you don't - what's wrong with you?????

For any who feel uncomfortable about reading a book that tells a less than reverent story let me quote from Moore's Afterword: "This story is not and never was meant to challenge anyone's faith; however, if one's faith can be shaken by stories in a humorous novel, one may have a bit more praying to do." AMEN!

The basic concept of Lamb is almost genius. Moore's somewhat irreverant take on the story of Jesus adds a human-ness to the characters that has probably never been imagined by most people. Moore is generally successful at keeping the story close to the historical version, so that the story remains believable and doesn't become too ridiculous.

However...

Instead of using real humor for his book, Moore seems to be totally preoccupied with sexual-perversion-type jokes. Having just finished the book, I'd estimate that about 80% of the attempts at humor are of the lame "Porky's" variety. After all the research that Moore did for the book, that was the best he could do?

If you simply cut out all of the unnecessary and pathetic sex jokes, the remaining book would probably be pithy and witty. Maybe someday Moore will come out with an edited version.

Laugh out loud funny at parts and thought provoking at others. I'd recommend this to all! I didn't want the book to end.

Joe P. review of Lamb by Christopher Moore, March 16, 2008.

Jesus' birth and death have been well chronicled, but have you ever wondered what happened to him between the ages of thirteen and thirty. Lamb tells you what happened during this time period in a hilarious way from the view point of the Messiahs' best friend, Biff. At the ages of thirteen Jesus, or Josh as the book refers to him, and Biff set out on a quest to find the three Magi that brought Josh gifts when he was born. Josh hopes these three men can teach him how to be the Messiah. To reach these men Josh and Biff must travel on a hilarious journey across all of Asia and back to Jerusalem. Once back Josh must gather his followers and try to, through example, bring the kingdom to the Middle East. The story ends the same way as the bible does though, with Joshua sacrificing himself for his faith and then being resurrected. This was one of the best and funniest books I have ever read. I would give this book a rating of the highest possible and recommend it to every one.