Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal | 
| Author: Christopher Moore
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  491 reviews
Sales Rank: 1527
Media: Paperback
Edition: First Perennial
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.8
ISBN: 0380813815
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780380813810
ASIN: 0380813815
Publication Date: February 1, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
While the Bible may be the word of God, transcribed by divinely inspired men, it does not provide a full (or even partial) account of the life of Jesus Christ. Lucky for us that Christopher Moore presents a funny, lighthearted satire of the life of Christ--from his childhood days up to his crucifixion--in Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. This clever novel is surely blasphemy to some, but to others it's a coming-of-age story of the highest order. Joshua (a.k.a. Jesus) knows he is unique and quite alone in his calling, but what exactly does his Father want of him? Taking liberties with ancient history, Moore works up an adventure tale as Biff and Joshua seek out the three wise men so that Joshua can better understand what he is supposed to do as Messiah. Biff, a capable sinner, tags along and gives Joshua ample opportunities to know the failings and weaknesses of being truly human. With a wit similar to Douglas Adams, Moore pulls no punches: a young Biff has the hots for Joshua's mom, Mary, which doesn't amuse Josh much: "Don't let anyone ever tell you that the Prince of Peace never struck anyone." And the origin of the Easter Bunny is explained as a drunken Jesus gushes his affection for bunnies, declaring, "Henceforth and from now on, I decree that whenever something bad happens to me, there shall be bunnies around." One small problem with the narrative is that Biff and Joshua often do not have distinct voices. A larger difficulty is that as the tone becomes more somber with Joshua's life drawing to its inevitable close, the one-liners, though not as numerous, seem forced. True to form, Lamb keeps the story of Joshua light, even after its darkest moments. --Michael Ferch
Product Description
The birth of Jesus has been well chronicled, as have his glorious teachings, acts, and divine sacrifice after his thirtieth birthday. But no one knows about the early life of the Son of God, the missing years -- except Biff, the Messiah's best bud, who has been resurrected to tell the story in the divinely hilarious yet heartfelt work "reminiscent of Vonnegut and Douglas Adams" (Philadelphia Inquirer). Verily, the story Biff has to tell is a miraculous one, filled with remarkable journeys, magic, healings, kung fu, corpse reanimations, demons, and hot babes. Even the considerable wiles and devotion of the Savior's pal may not be enough to divert Joshua from his tragic destiny. But there's no one who loves Josh more -- except maybe "Maggie," Mary of Magdala -- and Biff isn't about to let his extraordinary pal suffer and ascend without a fight.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 486 more reviews...
 Moved to the top of my favorite book list September 21, 2008
At first, I was a little offended by this book. But after telling myself it is fiction, I found it to be very fun and hilarious. I loved it.
You'll laugh out loud.............a LOT! September 21, 2008
Christopher Moore is more than a little crazy........but then genius is often labeled that way.
He most obviously did extensive research for this book (seriously, not kidding here) and puts a very humorous twist to his conjecture on how Christ spent the "un-documented" years.
A very enjoyable read, especially if you have any kind of religious training left over from your youth (and not just Christian either).
Highly recommended.
 Offensive, But Not For The Reason You're Thinking. September 10, 2008
0 out of 9 found this review helpful
I admit, I laughed my way through the first half of this book. Moore has a knack for dialog, mixing the bizarre and mundane at will and with great success. The random factor is deliciously high, but not obnoxiously so, and the sparse, oddly-focused prose fits the subject matter perfectly.
But- you knew there was a but coming -I put this book down after the first part and I do not ever wish to have anything to do with it ever again. Moore chose to use the only prominent female character (Maggie, AKA Mary Magdalene) as a plot device in the most offensive way possible. Not only is she forced into a marriage to someone she hates, but the two male leads are perfectly happy to leave her behind while they set off for an adventure.
Please. This is the twentieth century. This situation is not only trite, but misogynist. Perhaps it fits the time period where the book is set. This is a book about Jesus where a character sings a dirge involving the phrase "wacka wacka", so spare me.
Christopher Moore, women are not plot devices or chattel. Thanks for nothing!
 Irreverent, but Funny! August 16, 2008
Although I have only read the first one hundred pages or so, I found myself chuckling out loud at points. The only other author who has illicitted that affect on my is Davis Sedaris. A basic knowledge of christian theology is helpful to understand the "inside jokes" but not necessary to enjoy this book. The recount of Jesus (Josh) as preteen acting out biblical stories, the likes of Lot and the Sodomites is absolutely hysterical. In addition to the biblical satire, such humane issues like adolescent love (and lust) are addressed in an authentic, charming manner. I look forward to finishing it and would recommend a read.
Lamb August 13, 2008
Entertaining, provocative, fun to read. The story of Christ told in a very different and amusing fashion, still escaping sacrilege.
Have given several as gifts to friends who have also thoroughly enjoyed the book!
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