Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff
By Christopher Moore

This is the second book that I have read by Christopher Moore, and he is still a very funny writer. I continued to laugh out loud a number of times. I think a number of people must think that I am a little crazy now, but it is all good.

So The Gospel According to Biff is the story of Joshua’s (Jesus’) youth. Biff was Joshua’s best friend growing up and Biff helps Joshua become the Jesus that we read about in the bible.

Biff was brought back by the angel Raziel to write his gospel and complete the missing parts of the Bible. When he saw our version of the Bible, he was very upset because he was not even motioned once. He was also upset that none of Josh’s youth was mentioned. Raziel is supposed to keep an eye on Biff, but he is portrayed as not to bright and more into TV.

Biff points out that you know nothing of Joshua’s life from birth until he is 33. That is 33 years of growth and becoming the man he was when he was crucified that we never hear of, and this is that story. Joshua experiences many of the same issues and problems that every child goes through while growing up. Josh has brothers and sisters and even tells his dad “You’re not my father” when he is upset with Joseph.

Biff and Josh leave their home land in search of the 3 wise men that were at Joshua’s birth so that he can learn to become the Messiah (Chosen One).

This story stretches over like 20+ years. Joshua meets each of the 3 wise men and learns their philosophies and incorporates it into his own beliefs. For example one of the wise men is a Buddhist monk. There is even an explanation of the birth of Jew-do (Now known as Judo), because Josh wouldn’t hit anyone. You meet everyone in this book, Mary Magdalene (Biffs childhood crush), John the Baptist (Josh’s cousin). Josh even asks Biff to experience certain sin’s so that he can know what they are like without participating in them (such as intercourse – outside of marriage).

I don’t want to give anymore of the book away, but there are so many twists and turns and an explanation for so many things in that are now Jewish customs. This book is funny and will have you laughing throughout the book. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is a great book and if you haven’t read it, I would recommend it. I will most definitely read more of Christopher Moore’s books.