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Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
1 review
a_kt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Larry David wrote a new Gospel? Well look no further, this book is 100% for you, my fine sheepish friend. The story of "Lamb", if it isn't obvious enough, attempts to cover what happened in the 19-odd-years between the Jesus (or Joshua, as was his Hebrew name) being laid in that manger and the world-altering crucifixion... but, like, in a funny way. The "funny" part mostly coming from the appearance of an unknown apostle, Biff, Joshua's childhood friend, a wisecracking Jew who is all too willing to help his Messiah friend learn about the ins and outs of sinning. Meanwhile, Joshua and Biff travel East, as far as the tip of India to find the three magi present at his birth, looking for some long-forgotten wisdoms to help Josh figure out how to be a Messiah in the first place, as his cryptic father (see: God) hasn't been much help in that department. Throughout their journey they go on many strange adventures, eventually travel back to Jerusalem and begin Joshua's ministry career. And the rest... well, you probably know what happens, but the famous events leading up to the crucifixion are dramatically changed in Biff's perspective- a man who just desperately wants to save his best friend.
Now, if you read all that and are thinking to yourself: "Hm, that sounds really interesting actually- why only 3.75 stars?" I will say while this book was funny, insightful, and highly entertaining at parts, it unfortunately did not keep that level of consistency throughout. The beginning few chapters of Lamb are probably some of the funniest prose I've ever read. I constantly had to keep my giggling in check as to not disturb my sleeping partner next to me. However, the more the story went on the more it felt like the same jokes were being repeated over and over again (i.e. Biff's inability to keep it in his pants is a common source of conflict/jokes throughout the book). The further East Joshua and Biff traveled the more... well, the term "lost the plot" comes to mind, and I think this is reflected in Moore's writing. Josh and Biff spend 7-ish years with the first Magi and his concubines, learning all manner of Eastern philosophy and alchemy (this section covers many chapters). Then, they spend about 4 years in a Buddhist temple (no spoilers, but this is the part where things get really weird- also covers a good amount of chapters). Then, they go to India- and I have to say there was a lot, and I mean, a lot of inward-cringing from me for this section. I know that Moore did a lot of extensive research for this book, and it really shows! But, there was a definite vilification of ancient Hindu people and practices during this section. Hey, it was probably historically accurate, but the thought of a white guy writing about ancient Hindu people in such a vitriolic way was... icky to me, to say the least. They spend probably about 2 chapters with the final Magi, who teaches Joshua some really important things! But I think there is a total of two, maybe three scenes with him in it before they get a sign to go back to Israel? It all seemed very rushed (don't worry, Moore left plenty of time to discuss Biff's side-quest of getting a side job so he could pay for a prostitute to teach him all the Kama Sutra positions).
All in all, Lamb is a fine book. It definitely runs longer than it should, definitely goes in some directions it probably shouldn't, and the early-2000's humor gets to be a little much sometimes. However, its also a very funny buddy-road-trip and sometimes fish-out-of-water story that just so happens to be about Jesus Christ. If you are even a little interested in it, I'd give it a try, but if you are at all off-put by anything in the above review, I'd maybe think about starting it a little more. I do think Moore is a talented writer, and I plan to read some of his other works, but I will probably opt for more the of the modern ones, in a hope that his perspectives might have a changed a little over the years.
Now, if you read all that and are thinking to yourself: "Hm, that sounds really interesting actually- why only 3.75 stars?" I will say while this book was funny, insightful, and highly entertaining at parts, it unfortunately did not keep that level of consistency throughout. The beginning few chapters of Lamb are probably some of the funniest prose I've ever read. I constantly had to keep my giggling in check as to not disturb my sleeping partner next to me. However, the more the story went on the more it felt like the same jokes were being repeated over and over again (i.e. Biff's inability to keep it in his pants is a common source of conflict/jokes throughout the book). The further East Joshua and Biff traveled the more... well, the term "lost the plot" comes to mind, and I think this is reflected in Moore's writing. Josh and Biff spend 7-ish years with the first Magi and his concubines, learning all manner of Eastern philosophy and alchemy (this section covers many chapters). Then, they spend about 4 years in a Buddhist temple (no spoilers, but this is the part where things get really weird- also covers a good amount of chapters). Then, they go to India- and I have to say there was a lot, and I mean, a lot of inward-cringing from me for this section. I know that Moore did a lot of extensive research for this book, and it really shows! But, there was a definite vilification of ancient Hindu people and practices during this section. Hey, it was probably historically accurate, but the thought of a white guy writing about ancient Hindu people in such a vitriolic way was... icky to me, to say the least. They spend probably about 2 chapters with the final Magi, who teaches Joshua some really important things! But I think there is a total of two, maybe three scenes with him in it before they get a sign to go back to Israel? It all seemed very rushed (don't worry, Moore left plenty of time to discuss Biff's side-quest of getting a side job so he could pay for a prostitute to teach him all the Kama Sutra positions).
All in all, Lamb is a fine book. It definitely runs longer than it should, definitely goes in some directions it probably shouldn't, and the early-2000's humor gets to be a little much sometimes. However, its also a very funny buddy-road-trip and sometimes fish-out-of-water story that just so happens to be about Jesus Christ. If you are even a little interested in it, I'd give it a try, but if you are at all off-put by anything in the above review, I'd maybe think about starting it a little more. I do think Moore is a talented writer, and I plan to read some of his other works, but I will probably opt for more the of the modern ones, in a hope that his perspectives might have a changed a little over the years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Blood, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death and Child abuse
Minor: Gore
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