I love this novel, and so do the four hundred or so friends to whom I have given or leant it. Hands down, this is Moore's best book thus far, and I adore all of his books, with Fluke coming in second. There are certainly people who may be offended by the irreverence, but this book actually led me to study The Bible more in depth and it absolutely affirms my belief that God has a sense of humor. Starting with the killing of the lizards and their healing, right up through learning, through Biff, the joys (and required healings) of the brothel, to my favorite, the discovery of coffee, this book is refreshingly funny and obviously not meant to be taken too seriously. I don't often belly laugh reading a book, but this one just cracked me up. The book is very much, as Joshua says throughout, like bacon. If you don't get that joke, you must read it.

This is a weak book by a good author. It tells the story of Jesus' middle years in a half-comic, half we-are-all-one sort of way. The premise is interesting, but the book reads like a collection of one-liners produced by a group of writers for stand-up comedy.
This was a book club pick and I found it hard to get past the first 50 pages.

This book was entertaining and hilarious.
Now I know why we Jews have Chinese food at Christmas. All is revealed!!

First off, I'm a HUGE fan of Christopher Moore! When my carpooler and I bought "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," having already listened to "A Dirty Job," we weren't too sure how a story of Christ could be funny... but, as with "A Dirty Job," we were AMAZED, ENTERTAINED, and enjoyed many, many moments of utter hysteria! Moore handles this delicate and often touchy subject with such good grace and humor that you find yourself wondering if that's not really what happened? And, if so, who knew? Each character is just slightly left of what we already know about them and, of course, meeting Biff for the first time is the ultimate treat. ADORED the book (CD) and highly recommend it!!

A friend recommended this book as a funny look at someone's imaginings of Jesus as a boy and young man. I enjoyed it immensely--laughed my way through most of it. The irreverence of the author surprised me again and again. Who knew a book about Jesus could be so funny?! Loved it!

This book is great if you know a lot abotu religion and have a good sense of humor. It is the "missing years" of Jesus' life through the eyes of his shallow, lovable rogue of a best friend: Biff. You'll be laughing out loud at some of the lines and situations described in this book. It really gets ridiculous but oddl enough there are some parts of it where you think "Hey, that MIGHT have really happened!" A great book to read if you're down and want a few crazy laughs.

Lamb starts out strong and slowly fizzes its way to the end. Despite the weak ending the over all story is entertaining.

Jesus Christ is perhaps the most important figure in the history of mankind. It's because of this fact that the massive 30-year gap in his biography is so astonishing. The Gospels tell of all sorts of details, from the manger to the preaching, but there is simple an absence in between. What did Jesus do as a teenager? What did he do as an early 20-something? Lamb is a humorous look at the possibilities of those formative years.

First, this is not simply a comedy, nor is it a fluff book. There is a ton of research; I actually learned something from the book. It's deeply philosophical and religious in many ways, with quite a bit of theological history and insight, even though it's not preachy. There is, however, the majority of the book, witty dialogue and adventure which provides the reader with the answers to questions such as the origin of the H. in Jesus H. Christ.

Biff, also known as Levi bar Alphaeus, has been resurrected to tell his childhood tale of his best friend, who just so happens to be Joshua bar Jehovah, or Jesus. Along with Maggie (Mary Magdala), Biff recounts his story and fills in the holes of his best friend's life.

The great part about Lamb is that Biff's memories not only provide insight into the past, but also fill in hilarious details of everyday life, like the origin of sarcasm. Biff has a way of telling a story. He knows just the right words to bring about laughter, and is just raunchy enough that it's hard to see why he would be Jesus' best friend. I guess everyone needs "that friend". He's smart, nice, and pure on the inside, but his exterior is a tad rough. The majority of his story is of an epic journey throughout Asia, where Joshua learns about his powers, responsibilities, and role in life. He learns how to be the Messiah, and various lessons about life from the three magi. Along the way Joshua deals with the struggles associated with being the Messiah, particularly his difficulties with his attractions to Mary.

This book is really a showcase for Christopher Moore. It's rare when a writer can tackle such a powerful topic with equal parts levity and seriousness. It's even rarer to do both while bringing about emotion and genuine laugh out loud moments.

Anyone who simply loves a good book should enjoy reading Christopher Moore's thoughts on the life of Jesus. It's for any and all who enjoy a good laugh, who enjoy Moore's writing, or who are interested in an oddball theological perspective. It's completely inclusive, understanding, and a joy to read.

Wonder how Jesus dealt with puberty? Ever thought about how he might have used his spiritual gifts when the Big Man Upstairs wasn't looking? Christopher more has plenty of ideas about this and more.

The narrative reads a bit like some odd combination of "Scrubs" and "The West Wing," with main characters like Bif always at the ready with a dry, acerbic comeback for any situation. It's not realistic dialogue by any means, but hey, if you can get past the premise of this fictitious account of Jesus' missing years, then the stylized non-period-appropriate jargon will not bother you in the least.

This is one of the few books that has made me laugh out loud in several years. Being a theologian and writer myself, it's so refreshing to see someone so facile with words and also so sensitive to the human condition take such an irreverent jab at many old religious conventions. Anyone who considers themselves to be a biblical literalist, or who rejects outright the idea that, just maybe, other people and religions from cultures beyond his own influenced Jesus' ministry will have a hard time wading through this book. In fact, I sent a copy to my mother, a Southern Baptist, and surprisingly she loved it; her husband, however, found no humor in it at all.

My advice is to get over yourself and any hangups you have about what you think the life of Jesus was, or had to be, or should have been, and just enjoy this as a story about a special kid with an irrepressible calling. Then just sit back and enjoy watching it all unfold - or should I say, unravel?

Oh, and if you don't laugh when you find out how Jesus helped a young man learn to pee around corners, you lack a single humorous bone in your body. Quit reading immediately and go on to something more your speed, like the encyclopedia.

Mr. Moore is a genius, and this book proves it. You have to applaud him for being so bold. It doesn't hurt that the book is funnier than it has the right to be.

If you need a light laugh with a touching ending, buy this worthy novel.

If only the Bible was this easy to get through!

Please don't strike me down Joshua.

Wolfe

We all know of Peter, Paul & Mary. But do you know of Josh, Biff & Maggie? First, we aren't talking about singing; although I wouldn't have been surprised to have seen some "Louie, Louie" lyrics.

My wife doesn't have to take the time to read this since I was constantly interrupting her by reading passages from this to her. I hate it when someone does that to me, but I really couldn't stop myself.

I kept thinking of the books by Jack Douglas (Never Trust a Naked Bus Driver; My Brother Was an Only Child; ...). If you have never read his stuff, you have missed some humor classics.

If you enjoy laughing, read this book. If you don't - what's wrong with you?????

For any who feel uncomfortable about reading a book that tells a less than reverent story let me quote from Moore's Afterword: "This story is not and never was meant to challenge anyone's faith; however, if one's faith can be shaken by stories in a humorous novel, one may have a bit more praying to do." AMEN!

The basic concept of Lamb is almost genius. Moore's somewhat irreverant take on the story of Jesus adds a human-ness to the characters that has probably never been imagined by most people. Moore is generally successful at keeping the story close to the historical version, so that the story remains believable and doesn't become too ridiculous.

However...

Instead of using real humor for his book, Moore seems to be totally preoccupied with sexual-perversion-type jokes. Having just finished the book, I'd estimate that about 80% of the attempts at humor are of the lame "Porky's" variety. After all the research that Moore did for the book, that was the best he could do?

If you simply cut out all of the unnecessary and pathetic sex jokes, the remaining book would probably be pithy and witty. Maybe someday Moore will come out with an edited version.

Laugh out loud funny at parts and thought provoking at others. I'd recommend this to all! I didn't want the book to end.

I can't remember the last time I read a book that actually made me laugh out loud. Not only is this book great entertainment but there are subtle messages hidden through out that made me think "hmmm...never thought about that" in a good way. I absolutely loved it.

I laughed out loud on the bus today reading this. Twice.

This book made me fall in love with Christ again.

I simply love this book. There isn't much I can say than what has been said in the hundreds of other reviews. All I can say is that I love this book and you are definitely missing out if you haven't read it yet.

that there is no God, just for the sake of the writer and the reviewers. But the evidence is overwhelmingly the other way. And how many former atheists are now Christians vs how many former Christians now extoll the virtues of atheism? Interesting point. But I don't think any atheist or skeptic has ever proven that there is no God, and so, what a chance taken, eh? What kind of review will this book get from the real Jesus Christ? I can imagine. The poor, sorry souls who think this stuff is great, there is no cure for their sickness. My heart goes out to all of them. By the way, was Christopher Moore dropped on his head as a baby? How old is he these days, ten at the most? This is what our society has come to, a vast entertainment center, no more, no less. Everything is cool, everything is "in", anything goes. What a mess. And this only in the last fifty years or so. Go ahead and rebut this with some reviews :) Unbelievable. Gee, I wonder if the atheists will become angry with my review. I feel the sorrow coming on already :)

This book is a must read for anybody that might wonder, What was Jesus really like? While it is fictional all the way it gets the thoughts and laughs a going.

It must have been something about the end of the century that made people interested in looking beyond the Bible to understand the life of Jesus Christ. First we had "The Last Temptation of Christ" in the late `80s, which I've never seen more than five minutes of, that tried to make Jesus seem like a real, flawed person. About fifteen years later came Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" that poured existing conspiracy theories about Christ's life into the mold of a standard thriller and subsequently set the literary world on fire--and ensured Brown will never be hurting for money. We also had Mel Gibson's bloody, gruesome "Passion of the Christ" which I've never seen and never want to see. In between all this came Christopher Moore's "Lamb," which like Brown's novel takes existing material and this case pours it into the mold of a comic book superhero, only without the POW! and BAM! sound effects.

Most people, even if they aren't Christians, already should have an idea about the basics of this story. The birth in the stable and all that isn't covered in Moore's book. Instead it starts out in Nazareth when Joshua (his real Hebrew name) is six years old. His best friend is Levi who is called Biff (so at least we get one of those comic book sound effects) who is the Son of God's constant companion throughout most of the novel. At this point Joshua can already bring lizards back to life, but soon his powers grow so he can bring people back to life--almost.

At the age of thirteen, Josh decides it's time to go find his destiny so he and Biff travel to the East in search of the wise men present at Josh's birth. First they go to what is now Afghanistan, where Josh begins to study Confucius while Biff studies the carnal arts with six Chinese servant girls. Eventually they go off to find Wise Man #2, who is a Buddhist monk in China. There Josh and Biff master kung fu while also meditating on the secrets of the universe. Finally they have to go to India to meet Wise Man #3, who is an aesthetic hermit, who teaches Josh yoga while Biff learns the Kama Sutra from a prostitute.

Finally it's time for Josh and Biff to return home and begin the ministry by enlisting disciples and all that. I suppose I'm only spoiling the end for non-believers when I say Joshua is crucified, dies, and rises from the dead on the third day. As for Biff's fate, you'll have to read the book yourself.

I suppose people would (if anyone reads it) disagree with my remarks about this being like a comic book. Actually the first hundred pages is more like a Biblical "Little Rascals" with young Joshua, Biff, and Mary of Magdala getting into mischief in ancient Israel. But it still follows that pattern of first the superhero gains his power, then he has to learn how to control his abilities, then he has to figure out how to battle evil, and then he finally battles the villain. (Alternatively you could also think of Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" movies, who realizes he has the Force in the first movie, then goes off to learn from Yoda, and finally uses it to destroy Vader and the Emperor in the last movie. If that works any better for you.) Then there's the snappy one-liner banter, Biff in the role of sidekick, and of course the love interest who in the tradition of Lois Lane and Vicki Vale even has the same letter in both names. All we need are some tights and a secret identity. But then I'm the same one who calls "Fight Club" a Marxist fairy tale, so feel free to disagree with me on this point.

At any rate, probably the most you can get out of this book is a reminder that most religions at their base all teach very similar things about love and forgiveness and being good to fellow man and so forth. Some are a little more strict and have different dietary rules, but the core beliefs are very similar. If we focused on these deeper similarities than the more surface-level differences we'd have a lot fewer problems in the world. But really you could probably figure that out without this book.

Overall the book is entertaining in a blasphemous way. It's as sharp and witty as a "Simpsons" parody, so if that's your thing you aren't likely to get bored reading it. Though as an official reviewer on Amazon noted it can be hard to tell Biff and Josh apart because they sound the same. Also, they sound pretty much the same from age six right on up to age thirty-three with the same sarcastic quips and one-liners. In a way that's all right because if you grow up close to someone for all those years you do develop your own sort of language style with your own in-jokes.

My main complaint is we spend 100 pages on the Biblical Little Rascals, then 200 pages on the gratuitous training montage, and then only a little more than 100 pages on the actual events recounted in the Bible. The crucifixion especially seems rushed and the ending a little abrupt. It'd be like paying to see the latest "Spider-Man" movie and then the final epic battle between Spidey and the latest villains is over in three minutes. You'd feel a little cheated. But at least it saves us from an unpleasant Mel Gibson-style bloodbath. Definitely a bonus.

Should you read this book? Probably not if you're a Republican. If you're a "liberal" and can tolerate a mildly offensive satire then knock yourself out--POW!

That is all.

There is only one Gospel. The "Gospel" according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and now Biff are five versions of the story of Jesus's life. However only in Biff are the "missing" thirty years revealed. And hilariously so. This book is sure to create detractors and down-right meanness from critics but I loved it. First, it's a novel and only a novel which is to say it's fiction. So relax and enjoy the story as told by Biff.

The book is Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide) meets Remo Williams (as created by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir in the Destroyer Series), and, of course, the Bible. Some of the humor is juvenile but the story is overall entertaining, funny, and thought-provoking. Shining through all this is the underlying theme which while important, it will be overlooked (or unrecognized) by many.

Moore writes:
"Others may perceive the Divine Spark in themselves only by realizing through enlightenment that the spark resides in all things, and in that they find kinship. But because the Divine Spark resides in all, does not mean that all will discover it. Your dharma is not to learn, Joshua, but to teach....

We are all seekers. You are that which is sought, Joshua. You are the source. The is divinity, in the beginning is the word. You are the word."

OK, here's the premise of this book: imagine if Jesus Christ's best friend was Bart Simpson. OK, is you aren't turned off yet then you'll probably enjoy this absurdist parody. I liked the book as it never for one second denys that Jesus was the Son of God. So, we have Jesus (here called Joseph bar Jacob) who is compelled to travel East to learn about his destiny to become the Messiah. The narrator of the book is Biff. Biff goes with Joseph as he goes looking for the three magi who were present at his birth. They meet demons, gurus, and various con men along the way, always learning something new that comes in handy later (like how to multiply food). This is actually funny book, I found myself laughing out loud several times at some of the situations they found themselves in. Biff is world weary and very fleshy sinner, but somehow he is never a bad guy. In the afterward Christopher Moore says you are not to take this book seriously, so don't. Just go with the flow and be entertained. If you liked "Good Omen" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, then you'll enjoy this little gem too.

This book was one of the best things I've read in a long time. Many of the review here did it justice, but I'll try to cover a few points I feel were missed:

-This book is not religiously offensive. As a practicing Catholic, I had no problem with the humor - one merely has to take it with a grain of salt. The more devout might wince when Jesus uses the f-word, but this is a minor complaint, and a bad reason to stay away from the book.

-This book is much funnier if you are biblically literate. A few other reviewers have said that the last third of the book, where Jesus and Biff go back to Israel to preach, is the weakest part. However, those familiar with the Wedding at Cana and the Sermon on the Mount will find the retellings deeply amusing. I think my favorite twist was when Jesus cures two blind beggars, and after thanking Jesus profusly (as is the usual matter of course in the Gospels) they whine that there isn't all that much to look at in the Judean desert...not to mention all the references to pillars of salt (one of God's strangest, if not most creative, punishments).

-Others have complained that the ending, which retells the crucifixtion fairly faithfully, is sappy and disapointing. I thought that Moore cleverly managed to make this tragedy fit in with this story, without ever being offensive or crude about Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. I've also personally felt that Moore's endings sometimes fall apart - in particular, "Fluke" and "A Dirty Job" have confusing, overblown endings that don't really seem to tie up the plot. However, Lamb had a built-in ending which had to be treated very delicately. This forced Moore to avoid the showy, confusing endings which populate most of his books.

-This book had a heart of gold. Underneath all the jokes, one develops a real affection for Biff, who while weak and stupid, is loveable, and Jesus, who is never sanctimonious, but only compassionate. When I saw their lifelong friendship torn apart by the crucifixtion, I couldn't stop myself from crying - something I rarely do for any book, much less a humorous one.

Let's just say that if God does not have a keen sense of humor, Christopher Moore is in a lot of trouble because "the Gospel according to Biff" is filled with the kind of irreverent, often slapstick, humor for which Moore has become well known. Without a doubt, some readers will consider the book to be blasphemy and will not get far with it; most, I think will enjoy Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal as the humorous and rather tenderly told coming-of-age story that it is.

Levi bar Alphaeus, a stonemason's son known as Biff, has been Joshua's (the Greek equivalent of the name Jesus) best friend as long as he can remember. Although Biff and Joshua were best friends, they gladly accepted Maggie, more formally known as Mary of Magdala, into their lives when her family came to live near them. No one knew Joshua better than Biff and Maggie, and that is why the angel Raziel has been assigned to keep the resurrected Biff locked in a modern-day St. Louis hotel room until he completes his writing assignment: a new text filling in the 30-year gap that exists in the known Gospels.

Biff was happy to be alive again but really did not feel like writing down his experiences of a lifetime as Joshua's best friend until he stumbled upon a copy of the Bible in his hotel room (a copy that the angel tried to hide from him) and saw that none of the Gospels so much as mentioned his name or existence. That is when he decided it was time to set the record straight by telling his story...and what a story it was.

As the boys grew older, Biff realized just how special his friend was and he became protective of Joshua, trying to keep his true nature a secret from anyone other than Joshua's closest friends and family, especially the Romans. Joshua understood that as the Son of God he was placed on Earth with certain responsibilities and obligations to his people. But the details were fuzzy and Joshua could think of no one better to answer his questions than the three wise men who visited him upon his birth. Thus began a twenty-year adventure in which Biff and Joshua spent a period of several years with each of the wise men learning everything that could be taught to them (well, Biff did not learn a whole lot other than some super martial arts skills that would later serve him well), a journey that took them as far as India and China.

This twenty-year period, constituting the bulk of Lamb, is narrated with great humor and candor by Biff as the reader watches the evolution of Christian thought as Joshua is exposed to the other major religions of the world. Moore uses humor to emphasize the human aspects of Joshua in much the way that he used it in describing the antics of the two boys from ages five to ten (my favorite portion of the book). As Joshua approaches thirty years of age, though, Moore does not stray far from what is recorded in the New Testament and Lamb becomes a dark tale in which humor does not work nearly so well, though Moore continues to use it.

Lamb is a thought provoking book for those willing to read it rather than condemn it for its very subject matter. There is a huge difference between blasphemy and irreverence and Christopher Moore never crosses the line. His portrayal of Joshua/Jesus as a human being, a man with all of the usual strengths and weaknesses, has a remarkable impact. After all, at the core of Christianity is the belief that Jesus became human in order to redeem the world. Moore's portrayal of Joshua makes exactly that point, and makes it very well.

I fell into Lamb quite by accident when it was given to me at a Book Club Holiday gathering where we talked about our 10 favorite books of all time, one of which you had to bring for someone else to share. I was lucky enough to receive Lamb.

I'm an avid reader and it's the funniest book I've ever read, by far. Beyond being funny it tells a magical tale weaving serious religious belief with adolescent experience to bring a real human dimension to biblical characters, most especially Joshua / Jesus.

I could go on and on but I'll stop by saying it now sits on my top 10 list holding the place of the funniest book I've ever read. If after reading Lamb you disagree, please send me the name of the book that's funnier.

Christopher Moore is one of the best authors I've had the privilege to discover in the past few years. His unique perspective on life and history and the cosmos provide, without fail, the best read of its kind.

Don't sit down with Lamb thinking you're going to revamp your ideas of Christianity or Jesus. Instead, think of it as a guide to the humanity of a man we seldom see as human. Whatever your religious take on Christ, this book will make you question long-held beliefs and have you laughing during the discovery.

While one needs an open mind to read this book, it is still thought provoking. What if Jesus....

Carrying around a book that looks like a bible for 2 weeks certainly raises a few eyebrows, especially if you know me.

It has been a long time since I have been truly impressed by a book and writer, and even more so since I sat reading a bible-looking book and laughing my patootie off. I picked this up as kind of... ahh what the heck is this kind of book. I am so glad I did.

The story was told so well I would have thought it out of some biblical documents. Ok... well not really but let me tell you, this is a completely feasable story. And even if not, the humanizing of a god's son giving him a sense of humor an normal human thoughts and friends and trials and tribulations... well it makes the rest of the stories more credible.

As a not quite faithful kind of person(hey we can all get jaded at times) this actually renewed my faith in people's ability to be "average" while still accomplishing greatness.

I would have to say that in the end... I can't wait for Mr. Moore to let us see Maggie's side of the story too!

Thank you for such a great book!

Irreverent.

I believe that is the word that appears in every published review. It's fitting; this novel is hand-crafted to earn that adjective. And in that way, it is almost unfair to call it "irreverent" because your credibility as reader is called into question. Did you even bother to read it? Don't you have some kind of feedback of your own?

Of the novels by Christopher Moore that I have read to date, this is undoubtedly his strongest work. And it's definitely irreverent (like I said, he wrote it with exactly that in mind).

And Moore works over the Christ story in a most-excellent way. You don't take on this particular story without being very cognizant of the fact that you're tip-toeing along an eggshell precipice. Wisely, Moore puts all the sacrilegious behavior on Biff (e.g., the whore visitation and womanizing, the drinking and drugs, etc.) and allows Joshua (i.e., our "Jeebus") to stay ... well ... to stay holy. Meanwhile, Moore also very carefully refrains from painting Joshua as some sanctimonious prick.

So instead we get teen-aged Joshua and Biff wandering East from Bethlehem, getting into all manner of curious mischief, inquiring of the great spiritual minds that teh Orient has to offer. Joshua the magician. Joshua the enlightened. Joshua the ninja. Joshua the ascetic.

The prose is characteristic Moore -- quick-moving, entertaining, and pushing a few of the right buttons. And in this case maybe even more than his usual few.

I was so bored after the first of 6 audios that lasted over an hour that I stopped listening.

I don't know where I first heard about this book but I had it on my wishlist for quite some time. I finally picked it up, not really knowing what to expect, and it ended up being one of the best books I've ever read. It's got everything you could ever want in a story. It's an epic adventure filled with heart, social commentary, and-as you've no doubt already heard-loads and loads of brilliant humor.

I can't imagine anyone not loving this book. Honestly, if I found out that a friend of mine read it and didn't enjoy it, I would seriously question our friendship. It's that good. (Incidentally, I bought 5 copies for x-mas gifts and they all loved it and most of them bought more copies for their friends/family as well. Glad I haven't had to question any friendships yet:)

Make sure you pick up the special edition instead of this one.

Lamb Special Gift Ed: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

I originally bought this version (not knowing there was another) and about halfway through, I came across the deluxe biblical version on Amazon. I immediately went out and bought it at the local bookstore for $7 more than the Amazon price because I couldn't wait the 2-3 days for Amazon shipping and couldn't imagine not finishing the story in the deluxe version. I usually could care less what the book looks like - how used it is, etc - but this book is special and I love the special edition.

I can't wait to read the rest of his books. If they are 1/2 as good as Lamb, I will become his number one fan and tie him to a bed in my cabin in the snow and force him to keep writing forever.

I love this guy, his books are well researched and absolutely side-splitting.
They are on the edge of being sci-fi, but they are mostly just fun.
This story is great for anyone who can take a bit of religious humor. It is definitely not for the uber-religious person who can't take a joke about the big J.C.
I'm enjoying it thoroughly as I always do a good Christopher Moore book.

A great book for very religious people and people who do not take the bible seriously. It has something for everyone and is a very entertaining story even without the religious aspect.
It offers a great perspective on Jesus's years up to his crucifiction and might even turn some people.
I'd definitly recommend this to you.

"Lamb" is pretty damn funny. I laughed out loud more than I think I ever have in a book. C. Moore's voice is very comparable to Douglas Adams and if you like Adams you'll like Moore which is why I recommended it to my husband.

The book is funny and engaging right from the start--I for one am not at ALL familiar with the Bible-and was able to follow along pretty well. Although, honestly, I didn't find Joshua aka Jesus, to be a very interesting, enjoyable character. He's kind of stale--kind of like Harry Potter in the Harry Potter stories-Harry himself is boring, it's the characters AROUND him that make the book good. That is definitely the case with "Lamb." Jesus is pretty boring. Biff is where it's at.

*Spoiler Alert*
I quite enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book--up until India--it starts to die off for me there...I love the whole part at the monastery. But once "Lamb" meets up with where the Bible picks up--the book only has a few good moments and I was definitely ready for it to be over.

Thi is a great book. It is funny and heart warming as well as interesting and thought-provoking. I've given it to several friends or different ages and everyone really likes it.

Find out the true story of Jesus, written by his childhood friend Biff!

This is great comedy writing that Christopher Moore is able to sustain all the way through the novel.

I highly recommend this to all people, especially Christians. I'm sure Yeshua Ben Joseph Himself would have found this tale just as funny and given it a big thumbs up. Without laughter, where would we be?

After staying up late at night and laughing out loud as I turned nearly every page, reading "Lamb", I now think that yoga can be taught to elephants. You have to read the book to find out why.

First of all, I will say that I'm not religious. However, if this is what it's supposed to be, then maybe I should reconsider. Blasphemous? Maybe, but an enjoyable and truly inspired read nonetheless.

I laughed some, but it was also a story of true friendship, through thick and thin; doubt and belief. As others say, the ending isn't a surprise, but the way it's lovingly told by Biff, puts a human and believable face on the events leading up to the finale.

Can't wait to read the sequel! A movie wouldn't be a bad thing, either, but I doubt it could be made.

The introduction to the plot was quite interesting but then the situation went on so boring and the ending was quite traditional. I didn't feel the crisis and the climax of the plot and probably that's why the resolution was very traditional.

The setting of the Novel was pretty good though, and the characters were well presented. With no doubt, the auther is very creative and innovative.

The book contained couple of wisdoms that the reader can benifit a lot from if applied in real life.

The Novel is so comic and I did enjoyed the humourous tone in it.

Though I didn't think this book contained the wit held within this other books (Fluke, Practical Demon Keeping), I did enjoy the fun read.

I thought that his rendition of the antics of these childhood pals, captures young boys and their behaviors, before they become dignified icons.

And I was happy to see Catch again.

This is one of the funniest books that I have read. I laughed out loud! Biff is such a wonderful character that you wish the book didn't end. Jesus and Biff's conversations, adventures, etc make for a very enjoyable read.

If you have read my reviews over the last year, you would know that I am a Christopher Moore fan. There is something about this guy's writing that makes me laugh and makes reading a lot more fun in ways that I haven't been able to imagine. This book is no different. It is funny, ironic and endearing at the same time. It is a keeper.

So what exactly did happen in the years of Joshua's (Jesus) birth and the first days of his ministry? Moore seemed to have found the Gospels kind of skimpy on those years, so he created a lovable character named Levi But Everyone Calls Me Biff, who is Joshua's best friend through all those years. And just what did they do? They traveled to find the Three Magi who witnessed Joshua's birth, and their travels take them to the far east, where other philosophies are in existence and while Biff becomes even more wise-cracking over the years, one can see Joshua becoming more reflective and aware of just how much people need a Messiah. (Now, this is NOT a religious debate.)

This is a very light-hearted book ~~ but it is one of his better-written novels in some time. Biff is very lovable, Joshua is very approachable and Maggie (based on Mary Magalene) is very strong and funny. These are imaginings of what Joshua's friends/disciples would be like and they're definitely more human than what the Gospels portrayed. And I love every minute of it. So why the four stars? The ending was a bit weak ~~ but it's a forgivable flaw.

If this book is disturbing to you because it challenges your faith, then let me quote from the book (which I find applies to a lot of things in life), which can be found at the end by the author: "This story is not and never was meant to challenge anyone's faith; however, if one's faith can be shaken by stories in a humorous novel, one may have a bit more praying to do." It is a refreshing look on religion, satire and relationships between people, even if one is the Messiah and the other is just his best buddy who traveled the world with him. It's another proof that Moore is the best master for the "What If" genre in fiction.

So if you're looking for something light-hearted to read and something that will make you chuckle ~~ this book is definitely one to read.

12-12-07

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "Lamb". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that just plan and simple made me laugh. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line unique. Give this book a try. I have read all of Christopher Moore's books and to me this one was clearly the best he has done.
The Christian fiction book that I have written main story line is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ.
Tommy Taylor
Author - The Second Virgin Birth

Lamb is an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek depiction of the life of Jesus, as told through the eyes of his best friend Levi (Biff). More than merely a retelling, it fills in the missing years of Jesus' life between birth and messiahhood. Who knew he'd spent time studying in India and China? All your favorite Holy Family members, disciples and apostles make appearances, including Mary Magdalene (Maggie). It didn't quite live up to my lofty expectations -- I didn't fall out of bed laughing -- but great fun for anyone with a sense of humor, regardless of beliefs.

Hilarious and irreverent, yet with nuggets of wisdom. You'll never view Christianity, Buddhism or Hinduism quite the same.

... nor will you be able to hear the song "If I only had a Brain" from the Wizard of Oz without breaking into a *slightly* different version of the lyrics!

I can imagine that a lot of sturdy Christians would bristle at Moore's work. But I appreciate that this is fiction and enjoyed the read. It did not offend me in the least because I didn't expect it to be a religious piece. Much worse is said and done in the name of Jesus Christ (the Jesus H. Christ part was one of many lines that had me laughing out loud) every day. Biff's character was central to the story and well developed.

Moore was brilliant in his plot ideas and execution. If movie makers wouldn't screw it up, this could be a great film.

I love Christoper Moore's writing. After reading this and "A Dirty Job", I plan on reading all his other books.

I can imagine that a lot of sturdy Christians would bristle at Moore's work. But I appreciate that this is fiction and enjoyed the read. It did not offend me in the least because I didn't expect it to be a religious piece. Much worse is said and done in the name of Jesus Christ (the Jesus H. Christ part was one of many lines that had me laughing out loud) every day. Biff's character was central to the story and well developed.

Moore was brilliant in his plot ideas and execution. If movie makers wouldn't screw it up, this could be a great film.

I love Christoper Moore's writing. After reading this and "A Dirty Job", I plan on reading all his other books.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff... was my first Christopher Moore read--I have since read__ A Dirty Job__(see review) and am awaiting the arrival of__Island of the Sequined Love Nun. I was extremely satisfied with Lamb. In fact the roller coaster ride of Joshua & Biff's adolescent journey through the eventual Holy land was laugh out loud funny & unthinkable! I felt I was really able to connect with Biff as he represents many qualities/archetypes of many friends or individuals that have crossed my path in life. As I dissolved further into the period story of Moore's I began to really believe that 'yeah that could of happened' or 'NO Way! that's sooo wrong yet sooo plausible!' Nuff said. I dig!

There are countless reviews of this book praising its funny, irreverent humor, the care that was lavished on research and Moore's willingness to wade in and fill in some of the missing pieces of the Bible. I agree with all of the praise, but I found something missing in the reviews.

Christopher Moore has really captured the essence of a friendship in the book. Ignore the fact that the friends are Jesus, his buddy Biff and Mary Magdalen - Moore has created a fictional friendship that celebrates real friendships the world over. The interaction between Biff and Joshua has the combination of depth and shallowness that defines every important friendship I've ever had. It demonstrates the way real friends understand each other on many different levels. There is something really special about the caring between Biff and Joshua and their ability to have fun with each other in all circumstances.

I'll throw my recommendation for this book in with everyone else's for the reasons they give, but I'll add to it the thought that reading this book gives you an insight into friendship that's quite moving.

The best part of this book was listening to my husband laugh out loud while he read it, and trying to figure out which part he was laughing about.

Christopher Moore makes me laugh so hard. How can you not laugh at the thought of Jesus having a best friend named "Biff"? Of course, it is completely irreverent, so if you shock easily, maybe this isn't the book for you. Biff is quite the character, with his sinning (human) ways, which plays nicely next to Jesus' very austere self. I think everyone needs a friend that keeps you in check. It was interesting to hear those gaps of Christ's childhood filled in (if not accurately, then at least entertainingly).