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Summary: Glory Glory Hallelu--
Review: I saw this book in the most unlikely of places (I live in the bible noose): prominently displayed in my local chain bookstore. The title brought a chuckle, and I thought I would just skim. Nope. I ended up buying the book because I simply could not put it back (and thou shalt not steal, right?). The humor is sophmoric, I grant you, but there are some touching moments. While Levi who is called Biff was everything with the prefix or suffix of "ass", he also cared deeply about his friend Joshua, up to attempting to save him from himself and his fate. And while it is stated time and again (in conventional christian fare) that Jesus was perfect, Biff pointed out that he was human as well; for example, clocking Biff when he spoke of marrying Mary. There are also his reflections on his family ("Did I mention that my mother was besought by demons?") and the rush of first love ("The Magelene. She was the strongest of us all"). This book was well researched, and while there are a few stretches here and there (the invention of jew-do, or judo, Biff inventing sarcasm, meeting the Yeti, etc), we get a nice capsule of life under the heel of the Romans. I greatly enjoyed this book, and reread several times.
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Summary: Is there a better book out there?
Review: I do have to say that I am not Christian. I have studied it though with various other religions. I found this book buried in a box at an auction. I will claim at this time that it was the BEST .50 I have ever spent. The way Moore can use comedy in his writing with something as serious as the childhood of Christ is the best. It showed how Christ was actually human and had a best friend. I started reading this book one day and on the third day I had read the whole thing. I had a VERY hard time putting it down. I especially liked how he could use so many facts and they MAKE SENSE! unlike the bible. If you ask me, it will be the best money you have ever spent if you like these types of books. I dont think it could have been written any better. Although I do wish he would write another book like this one. This is one book that I will add to my collection of awesome books!
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Summary: Definately his best
Review: This is the third Christopher Moore book I've read - which means I really like his stories - and this is definately his best.
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Summary: Funny premise and details, drags a little in the middle
Review: If you ever wanted to know why Jesus rescinded the Jewish dietary laws, here's your answer - ....Moore does his usual good job spinning out an original and interesting premise, and this book is one of his funniest. But it does drag on a bit while Biff and Jesus are touring a few cultures during the "lost years". On the other hand, the last 75 or 100 pages where Moore traces Jesus' mission manage to be good, funny, involving and not pointlessly blasphemous. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
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Summary: I was on a 3 month waiting list for Lamb- it was worth it
Review: Everytime I went to check this book out of the library there was at least 4 people on the list. I finally broke down and added my name. It was well worth the wait.
Biff is the perfect balance to Josh. Together the two travel: Joshua to learn what a messiah does; Biff to invent matches, learn the kama sutra, become a kung fu master and buy an elephant.
I laughed out loud at so many points in this book, people around me must have thought I was strange. It was an interesting view of what we may never know. This is a great book for anyone who needs a good laugh and a really good story.
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Summary: Jesus had issues!
Review: Your the savior, your trying to "find" yourself. Could there be a better premise?
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Summary: Joshua the Bodhisattva
Review: The latest novel by Christopher Moore details the fictionalized, adventurous and still mysterious missing years of Jesus of Nazareth and his best friend Levi also known as Biff. The novel shows us the normal life that Jesus may have lived in the time of the Roman occupation of Israel up till just after his twelfth birthday. After an incident where a Roman guard is murdered, which Joshua and Biff and Maggie (Mary) of Magdala are witnesses, Joshua and Biff set out on an adventure to seek the three magi that came to visit Jesus when he was born. He needed to learn how to be the Messiah. Up till that point he knew he was the Son of God, and he had performed a number of miracles, but there was no direction for him to follow because his Father was silent and even angels were strangely evasive. Joshua and Biff find their way to Antioch and while there run into a Guy who knows one of the Magi and offers to lead them to him. They follow and realize that it is a trek of a few days till they get to Balthazar's fortress in what is modern day China. It actually took a few weeks. There they learn many exciting and mysterious things from Balthazar and his eight concubines. Joshua and Biff learn different aspects of Feng Shui and they learn about chi and other types of magic and eventually have to fight this 27th order demon named Catch. He was the reason that Balthazar was still alive even though he was over 250 years old. Joshua and Biff go from there to Tibet and join a Buddhist monastery for a while with Gaspar. From him they learn Zen meditation. They also meet the Yeti. Then they travel on to India after becoming Kung Fu masters and there they learn under the teaching of the third wise man. He is an ascetic yogi. At one point Joshua learns how to fit himself into an amphora for wine, which would be the equivalent of a modern day vase. In all of their travels Joshua throws himself into his training and achieves enlightenment during meditation in the monastery with Gaspar. He disappeared and had to be coaxed to re-materialize. He had to be the Messiah. Or in other words he had to be a Bodhisattva. He was to give up the form or lack of form of enlightenment in order to lead others to understand the Divine Spark in all people. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I especially loved the starkly human nature of Biff and his truly funny ways. He invented sarcasm and matches and was a true sexual virtuoso. I think that his close proximity and over-familiarity with Joshua made him immune to the teachings of his best friend. I guess when you live so close to such an amazing person, supernatural and miraculous events may become commonplace. I also really enjoyed Moore's interpretation of the character of Joshua. He was smart and beautiful and truly innocent - as the title "Lamb" would imply. I found that the story didn't do anything to dispute the godhood of Joshua and didn't do anything to take away from what I've learned from the gospels. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. It's been a long time since I've laughed so much while reading. This book was funny, tender and a great trip. Lamb is not to be missed.
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Summary: Laugh out loud funny
Review: Slowly but surely everyone I work with is reading this novel and loving it. In contrast with some other reviews, I found excellent characterizations and firm plotting. I haven't read anything else by Moore and plan to do so. Very funny and very much worth your time.
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Summary: Extraordinary
Review: It's difficult to say that this is Christopher Moore's best book yet because they are all little comedic gems and each is brilliant in its own way - but the scope of Lamb is immense. Brilliantly written, with some fabulous lines and memorable scenes. Impressive research combined with modern sensibilities and an unerring eye on the absurd make this a book to savour and treasure. Thought provoking, too. Just a shame it's not available in England - but, hey! - that's what we have Amazon for!
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Summary: Not his best
Review: I'm a Moore fan and had high hopes for this book, but my hopes were not realized. Moore pussyfooted around the story of Jesus, but was so careful and reserved with his humor that the end-result reads like a weak "Life of Brian" with the funny parts removed. Add to this an afterword apology for the potential affront he may have offered some readers and you have quite a letdown of a book from an accomplished comedic author. Moore can do better and has proven it in the past (when he does not need to be concerned about insulting established institutions). So, give this one a pass or borrow it from a friend and wait for him to get back into the groove.
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