Amen! This is an uproaringly fun read. If you have ever wondered what Jesus was doing for that missing thirty years that isn't covered in the Bible here is your answer. An amusing and yet not totally irreverent tale from the Son of God's best friend. In fact the author uses the fact that many point to the similarities between the teachings of Christ and some eastern religions. Of course you shouldn't read this thinking it is a serious fictional treatment....there is sex, jealousy, sarcasm, irony and flatulence.

Those authors who say Bookcrossing causes them to lose money are nuts...this is the fourth copy of this book I have purchased! I have one copy of my own and I have Bookcrossed the other three.

This is my favorite Moore book and I'm sending it to Kiwikat just because I can!


***The picture of the smiling lamb was taken by Kiwikat!***

One more 'Lamb' among the many in New Zealand. Think this one might be just a wee bit different, though. More once I've 'sampled' it.
THANKS Alrescate!!

This was a very interesting take on years between Christ's birth and when he was crucified. Who knew he had such a whacky childhood pal as Levi (aka 'Biff') and that they travelled for so long and so far to gather knowledge of other cultures and religions???
I will still stick with my original impression of this book being similar to Monty Python's 'Life of Brian', but I will now add in that there are hints of Mel Brooks in here, as well. Christopher Moore is definitely 'out there' a wee bit. Don't really think he is my cuppa, but he sure has plenty of fans among the BC crowd. Off to 'boreal' next. Can't wait to hear what she thinks.

Arrived today -thanks Kiwikat and Alrescate for sending it to NZ.
I have heard a lot about this book and it will be interesting to see what all the fuss is about.

I thought it quite fitting that I read this on Easter week and finished it on Good Friday, it made me stop and think of the meaning of Easter much more than I usually do.
I found it a bit tough going to start with but once I got past the first couple of chapters enjoyed it more. I think perhaps my New Zealand sense of humour is very different from the American one as I didn't find it all that funny -some parts were -the circumsision of Apollo stands out -but most of the humour seems to have gone over my head. Perhaps if I had more knowledge of the bible in the first place it might have helped.
I have passed this book to my husband to read and it will be interesting to see how he finds it.

My husband finished this yesterday and thought it was great, its always a sign of a good book when he reads one in a couple of days and you hear him laughing as he's reading. Actually I thought he might enjoy it as he had more of a religious upbringing than me and as a result understood more of the humour than me.

Hmmmmm...maybe that's why I struggled with 'Lamb'. I was never overly religious. Good to hear that others are enjoying the book, though.

Received as an RABCK from boreal. Thanks!

Soon to be on its way to tqd. I really enjoyed this book, thanks again boreal. It is a hilarious and quick read. Hope tqd enjoys it as much as I did.

Turned up in the mail today, thanks EDDI!

An absolute rip-snorter of a read, I'm sorry this one took so long to get to! I was a bit worried (given previous readers' comments and my lack of Christianity) that I wouldn't "get" the joke, but at the same time I really wanted to give it a good try, so I sat on it for several years. (Oh dear.) Anyway, I finally dusted this one off for the Set It Yourself Reading Challenge (I'm reading six books from my TBR pile that I've had for more than 1 year), and I'm really glad I did.

There were a few moments that probably went straight over my head, but obviously Christianity is so pervasive in our culture that I knew the vast majority of the references (or could guess them).

I absolutely loved the idea of Jesus spending his lost years in the East, learning different religions and how to fit himself inside a wine amphora. And I loved Biff, tagging along with him and giving him the occasional dose of reality (while inventing cappuccinos and sarcasm). Biff and Jesus' friendship was spot-on perfect: the bagging each other out, mixed with an incredible bond.

I was steeling myself for the ending. Given that I knew how Christ died and that it wasn't pretty, I wasn't sure I wanted to go through with the book right to the bitter end. However, it was well handled with a lot of the over-the-top stuff taking place off screen (so to speak) and while we did witness the actual death, it wasn't as if we didn't know it was coming.

I don't think I could mention one favourite moment, there were so many! "What if Jesus knew kung-fu?" is a wonderful question to be asked, and I'm glad Christopher Moore asked (and answered) it.

Now that I have (finally!) read it, I shall keep it moving by donating it to the Oz VBB next round... Although there are a few friends that I have to lend this to first. Thanks everyone for getting this book to me in the first place!

UPDATE 10 Dec 2008: And offered up to the Oz VBB!

UPDATE 11 Dec 2008: And snaffled by the very next participant, jubby! It shall be in the post to her asap.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

And popped in the post to jubby today!

Happy reading!

Received in the post today. Thank you very much TQD - there was no rush.

I have heard a fair few things about this book, so I think I will try and make time to read it shortly.

Thanks again.

Let me start by apologising - I’ve had this book for 9 years!

But, I picked up and put down this book (finally) over the Christmas period of 2017.

Several others have picked this book up from my bookshelf over the years with varying responses & opinions.

Me? I feel I should give this caveat: I’m married to a huge Monty Python fan and I have a limited tolerance for this style of parody.

The opening blurb was actually an excellent start:
Ever wonder what Jesus did during his formative years before that first miracle at Cana?

Being a hectic time of year, I should have chosen a shorter, fluffier read. I kept snatching a minute here and a minute there, which really disrupts punchlines and highpoints.

My favourite part of the book was certainly the Sermon on the Mount.

The hotel writing scenes were entertaining, as were the stream of characters met during the pair’s journey East.

Thank you so much for sharing this book with me. This has been my first Christopher Moore.

I agree with the Bookcrossers before me - similar themes to ‘Life of Brian’ and Mel Brooks.

Releasing this and hoping it finds an appreciative new reader.

Planning to leave on the benches outside.