Rating: 
Summary: Audacious, inventive, outrageous--brilliant!
Review: Christopher Moore has long been my favorite author when I needed a sure fire fix of comic relief. I still think his Bloodseeking Fiends may be the funniest book I ever read. Lamb is something of a departure for Moore, both in terms of subject matter as well as in terms of the scope of his story. Basically, this book purports to tell the story of Jesus (Joshua in the book) that is not included in the bible-which means, most of his life story. The idea is actually rather clever. Joshua, knowing he's someone special and cognizant that he's diving, nevertheless is clueless about what it all means and what he must do. He decided to look up the three wise men who appeared to his parents not long after his birth to see if they can give him a clue. So this is in fact an adventure story, a seekers story and a coming-of-age story all wrapped up in one text. As told by Christopher Moore-which means that it will be unlike anything on the subject ever written. For the most part the story is true to the context of it's times-with the exception that everyone seems to speak fluent, vernacular late 20th century American English! All of the trademarks of a Moore novel are here-the irreverence, the wit, the sarcasm, the hip-ness, the fall down laughing humor. It should be noted that this book will not go down well with very serious Christians with no sense of detached humor. This is not a good choice as a "cute" gift for dour, pious old Aunt Sally. This is an audacious, outrageous, hysterically funny book-a real triumph for Moore!
Rating:
Summary: A definite must read.
Review: This book was laugh out loud funny. Not to mention something different for me, I am usually a reader of science fiction. And of course not having a religious bone in my body, I sat here asking "could this have really happened?" With so many contradictions in the bible, and the fact that Christ's early life is "undocumented" (e.g. hidden or destroyed by the church) wouldn't it be a kick in the ass if this turned out to be non-fiction?
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!!!
Review: I wish someone would make a movie out of this book. I passed Lamb on to a co-worker; the son of a preacher. He liked it so much he bought his own copy and is reading it again. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself laughing out loud.
Rating:
Summary: This book will make you mad if:
Review: If you think you have a sense of humor but in reality you don't, or if you cannot separate allegory from reality. If either of these are the case this book will piss you off, alot! Now, with that said, if you look for the humor un everything you will absolutely love this book. You may just laugh all the way through. Fans of heretical humor may also want to check out James Morrow: Towing Jahova, Only Begotten Daughter, Bedtime Stories for Adults are some of his best.
Rating:
Summary: Renewed Faith
Review: Christopher Moore knows his stuff and finally answers the question about Jesus' (Joshua's) childhood. Any book that can make you laugh aloud and renew your faith in Jesus, not the church, is worth reading. Sorry, Mel Gibson, I felt more passionate about this book than your movie. This book can be appreciated by religious and non-religious alike. Don't let your feathers get too ruffled about the profanity in a book about Christ. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!
Rating: 
Summary: Watch out Mel, Biff is Coming...
Review: Okay, it seemingly appears on the cover as being sacreligious. After all, Jesus having a childhood friend named Biff, of all things? However, despite it's cheeky tone and some brilliantly funny scenes, there is a sense of reverence that flows under the story, which in turn, ends up dominating the ending. Biff is narrator, called from the dead to tell his story of his best pal Jesus. Friends since the early days, there is a comraderie between the two lads, a la Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Biff, frankly, is nothing short of an idiot, but a well-intentioned idiot. He is seemingly unimpressed by the miracles his friend can do, and often calls on him to perform to suit their purposes. And in great Hope and Crosby form, due to a problem with a certain Roman centurion, they have to take to the road, following Jesus' wish to meet the three wise men that visited him at birth. This is the richest part of the novel as the author spins a fantastic tale of what might have happened to Jesus during those unaccounted for years. Given free range, Moore runs with it and paints a wild adventure that's amusing and entertaining. Several times I was enchanted with the action and the humor. Biff is living it up, and Jesus, seemingly understanding his friend and his role, allows for both to happen. And in fact, that is one wonderful thing that Moore does in the book. Jesus is never made to be anything than what history has deemed him to be. In other words, the character of Jesus in his book fits with our perception of who he should be. When it comes time for Jesus to decide whether he wants to be sexual with a woman, he elects not to, bit in true young man fashion, pumps Biff for all the juicy details to understand the act. We see a Jesus confused by his own destiny, yet figuring it out, somehow with the help of Biff. What starts out as a promising two-thirds of a book ends up disappointing in the end. Of course, I began to wonder what was going to happen to these characters one the fictional Jesus collides with the historical Jesus and needs to start following the Gospel narratives. Moore plunges along, and with it, much of the humor fades. Perhaps it would have been wiser to stop the narrative at that point. We all know how it's going to end and frankly, there is no easy to way to make light of it (unless you're in Monty Python.... but I digress). So I give this book three stars, for an admirable two thirds of a story that is funny and wise at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: An all-time favorite
Review: "Lamb" is without question the most hilarious book I have ever read. I would say it has something of a Monty Python-esque quality to it and would appeal to the same type of audience. I read it while recovering from abdominal surgery and would have to set it aside for fear of hurting myself. Nocturnal outbursts of unexpected laughter woke my poor husband several times, and the dog would become concerned and come check on me. That being said, I also found gentle tears coursing down my cheeks a few times as it touched my spirit. I approached this book with some degree of trepidation about how Jesus would be portrayed in a satire and found that He was carefully rendered with a gentle respect. I loved His humanness and how He was able to more fully absorb the human experience He was sent to know through the antics and emotions of the far less constrained Biff. I loved His tolerance and understanding of Biff. And I loved Biff!!! Their interaction and mutual devotion was completely endearing. Christopher Moore is no less than brilliant, skillfully interweaving historical accuracy, scripture and Biblical lore, knowledge of other religions and cultures, and his totally off the wall imaginings into a tale that will stay in my heart and can still make me laugh just thinking about certain scenes (Joshua in the satchel.....I'll say no more). As an avid lifelong reader of all types of books, "Lamb" is definitely on my short list of all time favorites. I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of Christopher Moore's work.
Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud!!
Review: I thought this book was hilarious and bought copies for everyone I know for Christmas. Although the subject--the years of Jesus's life which are not included in the gospels--is touchy with some people, Christopher Moore manages to tell an outrageous story without tarishing the image of Josh/Jesus. Okay, there's the sex thing, but afterall these are adolescent boys/young men with raging hormones to deal with!!! For anyone who appreciates the genius of "Monty Python's Life of Brian", "Lamb" is a must. I loved this book and wish all of Moore's books held together as well as this one does.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny, interesting, but incomplete
Review: Moore's take on the Gospel is a very funny account of the childhood and early adult years of Jesus, in which Biff accompanies Jesus on a journey to track down the Wise Men and learn from them. This he does, and Moore cleverly includes bits of their Eastern philosophies that echo in familiar teachings of Jesus.
The characters are pretty well drawn and the teen Jesus's frustration and annoyance at celibacy while Biff has no such constraints had me howling. Other scenes are touching as Jesus works out both strengths and weaknesses of the Wise Men's approach to the meaning of life.
Unfortunately, Moore cops out by omitting any discussion of the post-Resurrection Jesus - whether out of a respect for potential blasphemy (yeah, right!) or because he just couldn't figure out what to say, I don't know.
All in all, this is an interesting and amusing read.
Rating:
Summary: oh, but Josh dies!!!!
Review: I loved this book!! It's a laugh out loud type of book that makes you want to cry and laugh at the same time. The only sad part was the ending...Biff's best friend had to DIE and the story ends! What a bummer! We all know he dies, but Moore's story keeps it fresh and the reader can't help but love the relationship btwn the two best buddies. Why did he have to die and end this book?!
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