Were you offended by this book in any way? Theres so much here that Moore could almost be called an 'equal opportunity offender.' Did you find that some parts bothered you, while others didnt? Did he go too far, in any way? Not far enough?Īt one point, Biff asks, 'Are all women stronger and better than me?' and josh answers, 'Yes.Stephen Mitchell was educated at Amherst College, the Sorbonne, and Yale University, and de-educated through intensive Zen practice. Would Joshua have made it to maturity without Biff? Do you think Jesus had any human - not divine help in becoming who he was? Is Moore making a statement about historical facts in the Bible, or about the value of friendship in general?

Love without desire, or conditions, or limits - a pure and radiant glow in the heart that could make me giddy and sad and glorious all at once.' Do you understand what hes saying? Have you ever experienced that kind of love? Michael Ferchĭid you find Lamb to be fairly true to the Bible as you know it? Did you learn anything from Lamb? Do you find reading the Bible enjoyable?Įarly in the book, Biff writes about 'little-boy love,' describing it as '. True to form, Lamb keeps the story of Joshua light, even after its darkest moments. 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. One small problem with the narrative is that Biff and Joshua often do not have distinct voices. 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.' Biff, a capable sinner, tags along and gives Joshua ample opportunities to know the failings and weaknesses of being truly human.

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. This clever novel is surely blasphemy to some, but to others it's a coming-of-age story of the highest order. 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. 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.

The gospel according to biff