Rating: 
Summary: Fall Down Funny!
Review: This book was recommended to me my my former religion professor. As a person of faith, I fully expected to be offended. I'm sure it is at least a minor sin, but I could not stop laughing. This book is nearly as well written as "A Confederacy of Dunces."The research for this book was nothing short of impressive. The more you know about Jewish history & customs and the origins of Christianity, the funnier this book becomes. However, even if you never actually read the Bible, you will still walk away smiling. Mr. Moore has an exceptional talent for comedic dialoge. I wish I had a friend like Biff!
Rating: 
Summary: 5 Stars for Vonnegut, Adams, C.S. Lewis, "Nice Try" to Moore
Review: An excellent premise for historical fiction, yet Moore seems to have missed the essence of Christ's character. Where did Moore go wrong? He stayed true to the Gospels and dismissed the rest of the New Testament books, on the premise that "Josh" could not have known them. "Josh" though was is and always shall be, according to Gospel John. Kudos to Moore, however, on integrating what is now known as Eastern religion into Josh's understandings. As for a recommended read, try "The ScrewTape Letters" by C.S. Lewis for something witty yet more resonant with reality.
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Summary: Tender Irreverance
Review: LOVED this book! I made me fall in love with all the characters the in a way no gospel could.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Read of all the Gosphells
Review: Chris Moore's latest novel is sort of a coming of age/buddy novel. As can be expected from Moore, it's witty and hillarious. The big surprise is that it's also very provocative, emotional, and tender. Also, it's about the life of Jesus Christ. The story is like this: An angel is called to resurect a lost apostle, Bif, who is to write a new gosphell. Bif (aka Levi) was Christ's loyal friend all through childhood to manhood. As they go insearch of how Josh (aka Christ) is supposed to do his work, Bif is very useful, he lies , cheats (cause Josh can't), and basically helps the perfect Messiah survive in an imperfect world. The two travel the world leaning Toaism, Buddism, Kung-fu, Yoga and Bif meets lots of hookers. A lot of people complain that it ends on a sombre note, but Jesus died, what'd they expect? I think that it was a fine ending, and a great read. Check it out for a seriously funny read.
Rating:
Summary: Giggles, smiles and sniffs
Review: The Lamb by Christopher Moore was absolutely fabulous. He was able to make of fun of relgions while at the same time keep the faith/belief in highest regard. I fell in love with Josh and Biff, and I feel sure I would have NEVER missed Sunday School if I could have learned about Jesus as a child and young man. ;) The writing and humor are absolutely wonderful, but what made this book stand out to me was the darling characters and the life lessons they learned. If you need a book to give you laughter, food for thought, and hours of entertainment, buy this book. I loved every word in The Lamb. The only bad thing about the book was it couldn't go on forever.
Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud on an airplane!
Review: I have not laughed out loud because of a book for a very long time, but this one made me do it. This wonderful piece of fiction is written by Biff - Joshua of Nazerath's best friend. Joshua (Jesus) is learning how to be the Son of God, while Biff is your 'typical' teen. Biff was brought to current times to write the gospel of Jesus' life for the years of 12-30 which are the missing years. It presents what could have been the real life of the most amazing and influential person who ever walked the earth. I was hesitant the first time I saw this book, being a Christian, and thinking it could be bothersome to read, but took the chance and am glad I did. Although the language is pretty harsh, especially from Biff, it has its place in showing the differences between the two main characters. I recommend this book for anyone who can handle following the travels in the old world with two teenage boys (one of which is the Son of God), learning about the world in ways that boys do, but keeping the wholiness of Jesus in the forefront. The ending is very well handled, following through with Christ's ministry and cruicification. This is the one serious part of the book, and I appreciate that. This was my first Christopher Moore book, but will certainly not be my last.
Rating:
Summary: What Did Jesus Do?
Review: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John leave a gaping hole in the story of Jesus. They tell of the shepherds, the angel, the virgin, the manger, and the wise men, then jump to Jesus as a thirtysomething rabbi. What did Jesus do during his formative years? Christopher Moore has an answer in his latest novel Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Biff is Levi bar Alphaeus, son of a stonemason and childhood friend of Joshua [Yeshua] bar Jehovah, son of God. The first section of the novel tells of the adventures of Biff, Joshua, and Maggie [Mary of Magdala] in and around Nazareth. The next three sections take Biff and Joshua to visit and learn from each of the three magi. The last section puts a Christopher Moore spin on the story told in the New Testament. We can read the good news according to Biff because the angel Raziel has resurrected Biff [and one other person] to write their versions of the Gospel. Biff's interactions with Raziel are interspersed with the main story, usually at the beginings of chapters, and [inconsistently] set apart as long block quotes. This is a humorous book from a master of humor, but also a sensitive book. I loved this novel. Humor fans, Christopher Moore fans, believers, non-believers, mainstream Christians, and non-Christians should all love this wonderful book. If you find sacrilege in non-Biblical mentions of Jesus, stay away from this novel. You'll hate it. You might even want to burn it. You'll convince your friends to write gratuitous negative reviews of this book. But in my opinion, any open-minded person who has ever mused about the life and teachings of Jesus will find a lot to laugh about and think about in Christopher Moore's Lamb.
Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: If you liked "Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are Dead" (the movie), you'll love this book! It's very similar: the journeys to unfamiliar lands, the 'inventions' and 'discoveries' by the idiot sidekick, and most importantly of all, the laugh-out-loud moments. This is an improvement over Moore's previous works (all of which I liked), mainly because it focuses on two characters rather than trying to cover several plotlines at once. As absurd as some of the situations are, Moore's characterization of your typical teenager is spot-on, making Joshua a surprisingly human character. If you've ever wanted to know where the Easter Bunny came from, this is the book to read.
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Summary: This Christian loved the book!
Review: I am a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. I am also a devoted Christopher Moore reader. I have read all his books and I love this one equally. I think I like him even more now that I know he knows Jesus. This is a great piece of fiction that Mr. Moore was able to sprinkle with Gospel and makes for a very interesting story. It is probably a good idea to read his acknowldgement at the back of the book before you read the actual story in case you might become offended by his liberal use of the Bible. I am giving it to my Pastor and several other of our church staff to read. Love it!
Rating:
Summary: A Laugh Out Loud Take on 'The Missing Years'
Review: This is a darkly witty perspective on the 'missing years' of Christ's life, from the point of view of his childhood pal. Not such a stretch; surely the son of God must have had some friends growing up and wondered many of the things all other kids wonder. For this raised-Catholic reader, the 'circumstances' that Moore presents which propose explanations for the development of some of Jesus' talents as noted in the later Gospels are both enlightening and uproariously funny. The author is careful to note that he has taken many liberties, but they are logical ones, not unlike the biblical authors; Moore, however, injects a practical perspective through wry humor and hysterical consequence. Contrary to being offensive to those raised among and within the conventional contexts of the Bible, this is a humorous reminder of just how non-literal we need to be about the Bible and life in general. A definite must read, regardless of your religious affiliation.
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