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Summary: I have never laughed so hard reading a book!
Review: I giggled and snickered my way through this book. At the time, I was taking an Intro to the Bible class in college, and we had just started the New Testament, AND it was Easter week. Talk about providence! If you like a taste of irreverance with your religion, then please read this! Moore definatly did his homework when writing this book, some of his ideas (aka, when Josh/Jesus heads East) aren't anything horribly new, but he puts a great twist on them, and makes it all very plausable. Well, mostly plausable, in theory anyways. The ancient "inventions" of stuff like cappacino and sarcasm will have you giggling, along with why bunnies are related to Easter and the first draft of the sermon on the mount. Josh definatly comes across as very human, with flaws and foibles, and Biff helps keep him that way. You don't have to know the Bible well to understand the book, but it helps. Even if you don't know all the Biblical details, read this anyway!
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Summary: ONE FOR ALL
Review: LAMB is a must-read for anyone from atheist to fundamentalist Christian. Surely Jesus' life was not all parables, miracles and somberness. He had to have had a little bit of fun during his teen years. Moore's book brings him to life for the reader far more than Matt, Mark, Luke or John did. I'd like to think that Jesus (AKA Joshua) had a buddy like Biff and not just a crowd of people bowing at his feet (or stoning him) cause it's pretty lonely at the top. I think this book is Moore's "crowning glory" (pardon the pun). I've read some of his others and plan to read them all, but this one has the mark of an author who has really matured and taken his place among the best American writers of literary fiction.
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Summary: Props to Christopher Moore
Review: This was one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. "Lamb" is for all those people who think Tom Robbins is funny but have to drag out the thesaurus every time he writes a new book. Chris Moore is my new favorite!!
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Summary: Funniest book I've ever read
Review: Normally, I don't laugh out loud while reading books. But while reading Lamb, my sister had to tell me to shut up, I was laughing so much. I have never read any other books by Christopher Moore, but this book has made me a fan.
Lamb follows the story of Joshua (Jesus) and his friend, Biff, who has been cut out of the bible because the apostles are mad at him. The story follows Biff and Joshua from the time when they were about 6 up to Joshua's crucifixtion.
Through out the story, you meet Maggie ( Mary Magdelen), who both Joshua and Biff fall in love with, as well as the three wise men (one is a magician, one is a buddhist, and the other an ascetic), and the apostles.
While very funny, this book also has a touching side, and really makes you see the humanity of Joshua. I would recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: I always wondered what went on after the manager ...
Review: I first thought this was going to be a Douglas Adams-ish take on the life of Jesus (nay Joshua). But, while the book was certainly funny, I found it to be even more insightful. Not sure the typical American Christian will want to or enjoy reading this. However, if you have an open mind toward how things could have been and if you ever wondered it was like to grow up under the star of Bethlehem, this is a book for you. Enjoy
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Summary: Blessed Are the Meek, For They Shall Inherit A Fruit Basket
Review: So you think you know everything there is to know about the life of Jesus Christ: you've read the New Testament, watched those documentaries on PBS, and own multiple copies of the movies made of His life. Yet do you ever find yourself wondering what happened to Him in that period of time between his getting lost at the Temple (age 12) and starting his ministry at age 30. Well, Biff is here to rescue you. He has been recruited by an archangel, kidnapped to a 20th-century hotel, and given the "gift of tongues" so that he might be able to transcribe once-and-for-all the story of Jesus' life through the eyes of His best friend. Interspersed with tales of being held hostage in modern America (and denied access to a Bible nonetheless) with a Spiderman-loving, pizza-eating angel, we learn of the Messiah's earliest religious feats which included bringing lizards back to life for his younger brother, James, and attempting to circumcise a Roman statue. Joshua (the Hebrew name for Jesus) knows that he is special and ordained by God, but he doesn't quite know what that means. With Biff by his side, everything takes on a whole new meaning, as his wise-cracking buddy seeks hedonistic pleasure while always remaining loyal to Joshua, who can't help but watch with curiosity--I mean, what is it like to "know a woman"? And isn't it hard to resist one as good-looking as "Maggie"--Mary of Magdalene. At age 12, after that infamous temple incident, Joshua goes off in search of the wise men who brought him gifts in his infancy. This journey takes him to such unsuspected locations as Kabul, China, and India, involving adventures with Chinese concubines, a yeti, and yoga ... Joshua and Biff spend six years with each wise man respectively. When they finally return to Israel, the Hebrews are chafing under the rule of the Romans, and Joshua's crazy cousin John the Baptist's preaching isn't doing much to help. ... Meanwhile, Maggie has been divorced by her husband, a hideous Pharisee who is twice her age. As Jesus begins to preach and gathers disciples of his own, including The Twelve, Biff is always by his side, helping him to prepare his sermons and advising him on the more practical aspects of life. (Look, Joshua, adultery can't involve just looking at a woman and having thoughts, because then, if you are already sinning, you might as well go all the way.) Yet not even Biff and all of Joshua's friends can save Him from His pre-ordained fate. Or can they... This is an excellent book! While some may think it's irreverent, I don't think it is at all. For the first time, an audience is being given a view of Jesus as a human being (he was you know) with real thoughts, feelings, confusions, and desires. He wants to do the right thing, but it isn't always easy for him to figure out what that is. And Biff is funny, and who wouldn't want to take him along on the road, even if it is to Crucifixion. In his afterword--"Teaching Yoga to an Elephant" Christopher Moore explains the path he took in writing this book, the research he did, the liberties he took. One of the most interesting points he makes in the story is that of making Mary of Magdalene a regular woman, because he found no evidence in the story that she was a prostitute. This book is charming, witty, and over-the-top. I know people who have read it and said it made them want to cry because they didn't think of Jesus as the type of person who had actual friends who would miss him not as a Messiah but as a person. The only quibble I had with this book, and it is a minor one, is the role of Judas. We barely even meet him and the next thing, he is off betraying Jesus. Oh, well, overall this is an excellent read. Just when you are thinking, "Oh, no, the author wouldn't have a Messiah do this..." It has already happened right before your very eyes.
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Summary: Hysterically reverent!
Review: I must say that I am not a devout Christian or anything as I find and many good things as bad with Christianity but this book had me on the floor. Reading the title, one might think that it is very irreverent but this is far from the case. So much so that even my devout Roman Catholic parents (who are eucharistic ministers by the way) found it extremely funny and have recommended it to many people at their church. Whether you are Christian, Hebrew, Hindu, Buddhist or simply not religious, if you know the biblical story of Jesus or anything about world religions you'll find something to your liking in this book. Find out how Jesus came up with his saying of "Turn the other cheek" (you'll never guess). Find out what Buddhism truly means. This is truly a great book by a extremely intelligent writer. Highly recommended!
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Summary: Hilarious and heart rending.
Review: I didn't think it was possible to do a respectful satire of Jesus; but Moore pulled it off. The book is delightful, if not completely plausible. It is funny, it is sad, in places it is thought provoking; and all through it is artfully written. Lamb entertained me, and also educated me. It amused me, but also made me think. Certainly worth a read.
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Summary: fun adventure
Review: had me laughing out loud every few minutes. although made up, very well researched and makes jesus that more loveable. better than the gospels and new testament as far as understanding jesus. a fine combination of humor and scholarship. amen
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Summary: I loved this book
Review: My mother and I would often have philosophical discussions about religion and the similarities and differences between the various main ones. This book explains the reasons for those similarities. And it makes you laugh. Especially when Joshua goes around poking the Untouchables. My mom would have loved that. Too bad I discovered this book after she died. Don't you wait that long. Read it now. Funny without being too farcical. I've now added another book to my short list of really good funny books (Thank You For Smoking and High Fidelity). I'm going to check out more Christopher Moore books.
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