Lamb is a retelling of the Christ story, but with a twist: The story covers those 30 years between when Jesus (or Joshua) is born and when he begins his ministry, which are conveniently left out of the New Testament. This “gospel” is narrated by Levi, who is called Biff and has been Joshua’s best friend since they were little boys.

Biff is brought back to life in the present day by an angel specifically so he can tell his side of the story and flesh out the existing gospels, and the brief sections describing his time stuck in a hotel room with the rather moronic angel are some of the funniest parts of the book. Indeed, Biff comes off as a much more interesting character than Joshua, with his inventions and theories that pre-date by hundreds of years their modern equivalents, and his tendency to hit back rather than turn the other cheek.

As boys, the two set out on a quest to find the three wise men who attended Joshua’s birth. The first wise man is an African practicing Confucianism in a fortress carved out of a mountainside in Afghanistan, and the boys spend their teenage years with him and his harem of Chinese attendants. (So began the tradition of eating Chinese food on Jesus’ birthday.) Then they journey to Nepal to spend several more years learning about Buddhism in an austere monastery with the second wise man.

By the time they get to India to live on a beach with the third wise man, a Hindu ascetic, we have explored four major world religions (including Judaism) and witnessed the birth of a fifth, Christianity. But it is about here when the story starts to feel rushed, and the book loses its momentum somewhat when Joshua returns to Israel to begin his ministry (you know what happens after that). Despite these issues, Lamb is a thoroughly entertaining and sometimes thought-provoking read, a new twist on a very old tale.

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Lamb is an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek depiction of the life of Jesus, as told through the eyes of his best friend Levi (Biff). More than merely a retelling, it fills in the missing years of Jesus’ life between birth and messiahhood. Who knew he’d spent time studying in India and China? All your favorite Holy Family members, disciples and apostles make appearances, including Mary Magdalene (Maggie). It didn’t quite live up to my lofty expectations - I didn’t fall out of bed laughing - but great fun for anyone with a sense of humor, regardless of beliefs.

I enjoyed this book, however, I must say that I was a little dissapointed too.

So many people have told me that “Lamb” is such an excellecent book, and while I did laugh a few times, it wasn’t as good as I had been hoping.

I think that the premise was good, and I enjoyed how it was carried out, but, in all actuallity, I’m probably not going remember this book. It didn’t change my views on anything. It didn’t impart any new knowledge. It didn’t make me think very much. While it was an enjoyable read, I honestly don’t think it was worth all 460-some pages.

It was nice, it was light, it was amusing, but it didn’t live up to what I had hoped in ways of humor, nor did it really give me something to think about.

A good book, but not what I would call a great book.

I really enjoyed this book and laughed quite frequently while reading it. I suppose there was a corny joke here and there, but it was more than fun enough to make up for it.

Before I began to read this book, I thought I would be warning the very religious away from this book when I would finally write the review. Even the author said he believed the very religious would probably hate his book. Honestly, I don’t see it. I can see how people who practice Hinduism or Judaism might be offended at some of the ways their religion has been portrayed, but I really don’t see anything that should be (too terribly) offensive to Christians. Yes, the book is very funny and yes, Jesus is one of the main characters (except he’s called Joshua here.) But really, the story is told respectfully and above all, it’s funny.

Anyway, read it if you have a sense of humor.

It seems like a lot of people like this book, and (like someone else already said) it seemed like a good premise, but I felt the same way about the book as I do about that guy at parties who won’t stop telling you corny jokes.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long while. When I picked it up, I was expecting a playful, sacrilegious romp, which I got, but I was surprised to find something of much more depth too. For people like me, who grew up in the church, but have—uh—strayed somewhat in our later years, Jesus is an interesting problem. Even if we still claim to believe in God, what can we do about Jesus and all that wacky stuff he said, and is there a way to get down to his message without that whole sacrifice-for-sin thing, etc, etc. Christopher Moore does an excellent job of addressing all of those things without being an ass about it.

If you’re devout, this book will offend you. If you’re not, it might just help you reframe all those Bible stories you heard as a kid.

If you, uh, were never really into the whole Jesus thing in the first place, you’ll probably find this book kind of boring. You’ll miss the vast majority of the jokes if you don’t have a pretty strong working knowledge of the New Testament.

I, personally, laughed and cried and thought, and I conclude that I very much enjoyed this book.

Oh. My. God.
As soon as I was done this book, I re-read it right away.
This is my favorite book.
Ever.
It also made me fall in love with the smell of sandalwood, lemon and girl sweat.
Jesus is the absolute coolest.
Look, a seagull!

Like the other books by Moore that I’ve read, this one has a great premise, and some promising bits, but its humor is too sitcom-y for my tastes.

Rating: 3*/5

Finished it. Loved it. Highly recommend it!

I’m borrowing this and enjoying it thus far. Already laughing out loud. Am told to read all of his stuff and can’t wait to.

Recommended by Jon.

This is the funniest book I’ve read in years, although the ending does drag a little bit. Even so, I recommend this book to anybody and everybody who’s ever thought about religion.

What a great read… had me laughing out loud almost the whole way through…