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

Christopher Moore

Oct 2009 · Harper Collins

About this ebook

Everyone knows about the immaculate conception and the crucifixion. But what happened to Jesus between the manger and the Sermon on the Mount? In this hilarious and bold novel, the acclaimed Christopher Moore shares the greatest story never told: the life of Christ as seen by his boyhood pal, Biff.

Just what was Jesus doing during the many years that have gone unrecorded in the Bible? Biff was there at his side, and now after two thousand years, he shares those good, bad, ugly, and miraculous times. Screamingly funny, audaciously fresh, Lamb rivals the best of Tom Robbins and Carl Hiaasen, and is sure to please this gifted writer’s fans and win him legions more.

Ratings and reviews

A book sure to set blood boiling and stomachs splitting, Lamb is a brilliant read from the depths of Christopher Moore's "sick" mind. Following the untold life of Jesus Christ (Joshua bar Joseph) from birth to death, Moore blends historically accurate events and settings beautifully into real-world comparisons and hilarious antics (to include the creation of sarcasm) narrated by his best friend Biff. Though the events took place some 2000 years prior, Levi-who-is-called-Biff recalls the stories with astounding clarity. He also includes witty passages pertaining to his current situation in which he is writing this new gospel; he has been resurrected and now faces the (though somewhat sheltered) life and problems of modern America. We follow The Messiah and Biff on their spiritual and educational journey, and all the bumps and delights along the way. This brilliant piece of literature is a delightful satirical piece, which allows us to see the beginning of Christianity through a different light. Even those without a faith would surely agree that Moore's portrayal of Jesus Christ is irrefutably human in both desire and heart, making this book doubly amusing as well as something to ponder. It could be argued that Lamb incorporates a theme of the importance and scarcity of true humanity, alongside the obvious value of a true friend. I honestly can say the only time I was dissatisfied with this novel was when I was forced to finally put it down after thoroughly scrutinizing the inside of the back cover, willing more pages to spring forth. Though certainly not a read for the easily offended, Christopher Moore's Lamb is a book I would highly recommend to any tolerant and intellectual individual in need of a laugh. His style of writing is effortlessly comprehensive and offers a great read to not only Theology or English Majors, but to mature adolescent minds as well.

The best book I have read in a long time. While it is true that I am new to Christopher Moore's novels, this is single handedly the funniest, most light hearted entertainment this decade. There is a catch.... if you don't know any bible stories at all, you will not get most of the jokes. I'm serious. We are talking old testament stories, you gotta be at least familiar with them. That way, when you read this, the jokes and the actions all make sense. Biff lays claim to inventing sarcasm, the angels discuss devils food, no, not Satan, we are talking chocolate. For those of you who are offended by biblical humor, try to remember, every time you see an armadillo or a platypus, you know god has a sense of humor. At no point do they disrespect Jesus or any of the miracles he supposedly performed.... they simply tell the story from a "best friends" point of view. Imagine the messiah as your best friend for a minute, feeding the masses, healing the ill, getting baptised.... then you will see the opportunity for humor. I laughed on every page, full belly laughs. Loved it so much I bought a copy for a friend, who also devoured it and laughed all the way through.

A fiction that fills in the gaps to tell the story about how Jesus became one of the most influential people in history in a very hilarious way. Jesus was able to stay true to being the son of God, while his best buddy Biff proves how tough it is to be human. I didn't feel it was irreverent or disrespectful. Just unorthodox, so long as your not too closed minded. Lamb carries through with the New Testament's theme of love for humanity, while telling a very personal love story.

About the author

Christopher Moore is the author of eighteen previous novels, including Razzmatazz, Shakespeare for Squirrels, Noir, Secondhand Souls, Sacré Bleu, Fool, and Lamb. He lives in San Francisco, California.