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Book Review of Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
thewoobdog avatar reviewed on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9


This book definitely had moments of hilarity, with a rather 'Monty Python: Life of Brian' feel. Christopher Moore's surprising flashes of insight into human nature give one the sense that the author is poking fun at the entire human race, himself included, and often surprises one into laughing at oneself.

There are also sections where the book seems to drag, like a comic skit that would have been funny for 2 minutes but is monotonous when extended to 10. Thankfully, these sections are the exception rather than the rule - on the whole the book is engaging and humorous, although some might feel that the humor borders on heresy or blasphemy. The overall tone is not one of a writer hell-bent (pun intended) on poking holes in religious belief or angrily attacking people of certain belief systems - rather, it tends to be a humorous and often self-deprecating look at the traditions, origins, and tenets of several spiritual belief systems, and more often than not provokes one to examine the underlying supports of one's own beliefs (or lack thereof).

I can definitely see where Lamb would completely offend the sensibilities of some and seem like the epitome of hilarity to others; for me personally it fell somewhere in between, but I (cautiously!) recommend it as a quick and fun read, if one isn't too sensitive about having one's toes stepped on.