Rating: 
Summary: If church had been this much fun....
Review: LAMB is my first foray into the world of Christopher Moore. It won't be my last. The book is the tender, touching and hilarious look at Christ as a young man. The subtitle of this book could almost be "Spirituality 101" as Josh and Biff delve into other spiritual perspectives such as Hinduism and Buddhism. It's a quick, satisfying read and I did hope that the outcome would be better for Josh than we know it will be. Moore approaches his subject matter with affection. I loved him putting an adolescent face on Jesus. Well worth all the praise that is being heaped on it.
Rating:
Summary: ... sodomizing the son of God is really, really bad.
Review: Christopher Moore proves his brilliance once again! He took , THE touchiest of subjects, and put a happy face on it!
Better than that, we finally have a happy ending!
Can't wait for the next book, we want Moore!
Rating:
Summary: may just be the funniest book I've ever read! Easily 6 stars
Review: Maybe it's because my less than spectacular eyesight keeps me from reading as much as I
would like to that, I must first confess, LAMB: has been my inaugural survey into the work
of Christopher Moore. Entering my local bookstore to seek out the latest work from
Robert Hellenga my eye was drawn to LAMB:, sitting amongst the tableful of new
releases. After reading the jacket's description on Mr. Moore's latest work I returned the
book to it's place on the table and continued as I had begun. Only moments after locating
the object of my original quest I found I was inextricably drawn back to the new release
table. Having limited funds to spend on such flights of fantasy I'd been convinced by the
publisher's synopsis that, at least for now, my few dollars would be better spent on Mr.
Moore's book. I was never so correct. Though I have yet to read Mr. Hellenga's book I
can state positively that, poor eyesight not withstanding, I will read Chris Moore's other
work.
Yes, LAMB: is a highly irreverent concoction concerning the unaccounted for life of the
Son of Man. And though I would not expect endorsements from the Christian Coalition or
the Religious Right [wrong?], it is just the book such a righteous population needs to read. Jesus is
said to have pronounced the new commandment; "love one another as I have loved you." His directives include "if a man should strike your left cheek, offer him the right one." Christian sects derive religious dogma from these words but then harken right back
to pre-Christian monotheistic traditions with an encumbrance of untold rules. Man made
rules with no real basis in the teachings of Jesus, the Christ. Chris Moore's admittedly
"made up" fable appears to be based on no less fact, endorsing the same ideals.
There are too many moments of 'laugh out loud' passages to recount here. Even the sex is
comedic. There is no pornography, your prurient interests will not be served here. Your
funnybone however will work overtime. You will laugh, guaranteed. Suffice to say your
uncontrollable responses to the pages of this work may turn in wonderment the heads of
those in the room with you as you wend your way through this work. The Word IS
contain within these pages, just slightly skewed (though no less than the varieties of
Christianity in the world today).
Concerning Chris Moore's ability to tell a story, whether you are thick skinned or thin
skinned regarding your bible, whether you are a believer or non believer, whether or not
you've ever picked up the tome considered by so many of the planet's inhabitants to be
the true word of the Creator, if you approach this book with an open mind it will provide
an abundance of pleasure. You may even come upon a truism or two. It is a copious new
testament [pun absolutely intended] confirming, in the most positive way, Chris' ability to
tell a story and to make you laugh. Over fifty years, LAMB may just be the funniest book
I've ever read!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Look at Christ's Humanity and Divinity
Review: I went to the bookstore a couple of days ago looking for a book. I found it, and on the way to check out I came across this book. I had never read anything by Christopher Moore before (I hadn't even heard of the guy). However, with a title like that how could I resist. This book turned out to be one of the best impulse buys of my life. It is a hilarious look at how the first 30 years of Jesus' life might have happened. The three main characters, Joshua (Jesus), Biff, and Maggie (Mary Magdelene) are very well thought out and presented to us in a way that is both laugh-out-loud hysterical and believable at the same time. Many have said that faithful Christians might have a hard time accepting this book. Many of us do have open minds though. As one of those faithful Christians I believe that Christopher Moore did a wonderful job of presenting Jesus' human side without belittling his divinity at all. I only have a few minor complaints. Moore spends the first two thirds of the book building out a relationship between Biff and the angel, Raziel. Then in the last third no more is mentioned of this relationship. Secondly, I don't think that having Joshua curse at times in the book helped out any. I think he could have been just as effective and funny without the language. Besides, Biff cursed enough for the two of them. Finally, the ending was much more bittersweet and serious than the rest of the book. I suppose this isn't a problem though because as much as it bothered me It has made it impossible for me to get the book out of my mind. Something tells me that is exactly what Christopher Moore intended.
Rating:
Summary: Witty & laugh-out-loud funny!
Review: I have read almost all of Moore's books and I have to say that this is my favorite. I was laughing so hard at the character portrayals & I couldn't put this book down! Moore gives us the story of Joshua and Biff, two childhood friends that grow up together and try to learn all that the "messiah" needs to know. I know you will enjoy this book if you love Moore's other work!
Rating:
Summary: My gut still hurts
Review: There aren't too many books I get excited about, but "Lamb" is one that I can recommend to all of my close friends. Far and away, this is the funniest thing I have read since I first stumbled into "Hitchhiker" 12 years ago. I laughed out loud, often in tears, on just about every page. Granted, one must have a VERY thick skin where religion is concerned (Jesus experiences sin vicariously through Biff...alot), but for the pragmatics in the audience, it is well worth the "Oh my God" factor. If I were God, I would demand my worshippers read this book.
Rating:
Summary: I've never told so many people about a book
Review: I was a Christopher Moore fan before LAMB, but he's surpassed Tom Robbins to be my favorite author now. LAMB is just the best book I've ever read. I tried to read it slowly so that it wouldn't end, but each session with it caused me to: 1) be late for work, 2) not sleep enough and 3) wake up my wife with my snickering/snorting/etc. I'm not a Christian, but reading LAMB has really sparked my interest in Jesus' life, and I'll be reading more as a result. Thanks, Christopher, and please write the next one fast!!
Rating:
Summary: Happily Devouring Another Moore
Review: Nearly everytime I enter the bookstore I head instinctively to the M section just to see, if perchance, possibly, there is another Christopher Moore book to read. I still remember the delight I found when I read his first book so long ago, Practical Demon-Keeping, and now I can hardly contain my exclamations of delight when I happen upon a new book. I haven't even finished the book and I've recommended it to everyone I think will enjoy it and have even promised my copy as first dibs to a close friend of my parents. I let him read the prologue and was concerened I might not get it back. Okay- the book. Oh my, it's hilarious. Imagine The Hitchhiker meets Monty, raised on early (the good stuff) Saturday Night Live. I have laughed out loud with this book more times than all of the others. If I thought Mr. Moore delightfully witty and talented before, I now think him a brilliant god or incarnation of some divine figure of words and speech. I am looking forward, already, to re-reading this book. "Two Jews walked into a bar"- that's JC and Biff. So some of the humour is the one-liner type? It's the fresh perspective that gives it the extra punch. Joshua (Jesus) and Biff discussing bacon, among other no-no's is akin to considering the Pope discussing fine mountain chilled brews. Biff's adoration of Mary, his troubles with his own mother (did he mention she was troubled by demons?) and his infatuation with Mary Magdelene are the earmarks of youth. Jesus had to have one and this book reminds you that kids are kids. Even divinely inspired ones. I fear that many people will mis-understand this book and just gleaning over the negative reviews proves this. There are some people in this world who cannot take humour, especially directed at God and/or our relationship with said. Luckily, this book is about Jews- Jews not only make jokes with and about God, but argue with him as well. They keep him up late at night. I can only think that God would be most delighted with this book as well. The comment someone made about Joshua (Jesus) being depicted as a little bit less than sharp is a genuine mistake: simplicity is the key to complexity. Jesus did have friends right? He sat down and ate, probably grumbled about the weather from time to time- this book only encourages that perception of his humanity while at the same time unleashing time warped humour (a la Briscoe County Junior) that will have you holding your belly. I won't spoil anything about where the book goes but the span is one that actually is proposed and belived by scholars, one I believe myself- so there is an air of reality and seriousness to the book. Enough to spark an interest I think, in many who read it. And isn't that what a book should do? Spark a fire? I'm lit, so loosen the mind strings and join me on this one, it really will set your mind to thinking all while giving your mind a good (no doubt much needed!) tickling.
Rating:
Summary: Jesus as a Teenager
Review: It takes an awful lot of chutzpah to write a story of the Nessiah's years of youth, before the New Testaments kick in. But Mr. Moore did it in incredibe style, with his usual outrageous humor and withour stepping on any religious toes. The author researched the book meticulously and there is no false step. The book is written with great love for Jesus, his life and his work. If you believe that there can be humor in religion and not just wrath, then get hold of "Lamb" and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: just a few thoughts
Review: I won't bother repeating what the previous reviewers said, because most of them are right on the money -- both the ones who loved it, and the ones who didn't. However, those who were offended or who thought it was JUST frat-boy humor (there IS frat-boy humor, but much more) missed the point and the subtlety. I've read Christopher Moore's previous books, and enjoyed all of them to various degrees: some are consistently excellent, and other just "have their moments." This book has an intriguing concept and some absolutely "inspired" (sorry) bits of comedy. Lamb starts out slow, but once you get into it, the pace picks up; that said, it is still at least 100 pages too long. ** POSSIBLE SPOILER BELOW **
I feel the ending is the weakest part of the book, which is ironic since this is the part that steals fairly directly from a very popular book which has been around for 2,000 years. On one hand, I think even I might have been offended if Moore had gone in a totally different direction "explaining" the events surrounding the Crucifixion, but on the other hand, I found this a little lacking after the spins he added earlier in the story. Also, the wrap-up of the Biff/Raziel story is completely anti-climactic.
|
