Fool by Christopher Moore

I have just finished reading Coyote Blue and The Gospel According to Biff, and although this book (Fool) was very good, I think maybe I should have taken a break before running head strong into this one.

This was the store of King Lear but it was from the perspective of the Fool. It was different from the other books of Christopher Moore that I read, because it did not use your traditional grammar and ways of writing. He used a lot of vulgar and profane words, which of course I myself did not mind.

The teller of this tale is Pocket, he has been King Lear’s fool/jest for years and has seen the king grow old and princesses (Regan, Cordelia and Goneril) grow up. Pocket plays a fool but he is one very smart and cunning little jester. King Lear decides to find out which of his daughters loves him more so at the suggestion of Edmond (the bastard) he demands them to swear their undying love to him in front of the entire court. Regan and Gonerial swear their love without question, but Cordelia is honest and tells the King that she loves him as much as a daughter should love her father no more and no less. The king is appalled by this response and banishers her from the kingdom. The king splits his kingdom 2 ways instead of 3 and gives them to Regan and Gonerial and he steps down removing himself from king. Now the whole country stars to go to hell as the princess take over and the king is to proud to admit that banishing Cordelia was a mistake and she did in fact love him more than his other two daughters. Pocket is the only one who can correct what the king has done, so he goes off on his adventure with his idiot friend, Drool, to bring in the happy ending.

There are spells, a few wars and a bunch of shagging throughout the entire book, so if you are timid or conservative this book is not for you. Christopher Moore really shows you a new way to use…and maybe even abuse the English language in this book.

This book is long, but it is worth reading. I think so far that The Gospel According to Biff has been my favorite so far, but this book has lots of laughs and is worth reading.

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.

Coyote Blue

Today I finished reading Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore. I can’t remember reading anything by him before, but my best friend recommended this book to me, so I had to read it.

This book was funny. I must admit that I laughed a number of times (out loud) during this book.

The story is about a guy named Sam Hunter (known as Samson Hunts Alone) who was born on a Crow Indian reservation.

The book not only tells you Sam’s current situation, but the book continues to go back and talk about his youth and what it was like for him as a child growing up on the reservation, never having much money and being very family oriented.

After an accident Sam had to leave the reservation and redefine himself as a white man. He leaves his past and heritage behind and embarrasses his new life. He got a job as a salesman and his life was going well…until his guiding sprite Coyote – the trickster god – comes to “help Sam”, but instead he turns Sam’s life upside down!

Sam falls for a young girl named Calliope. Calliope is a free spirit and a mother. The baby’s father is a drug addicted biker and Calliope leaves him after the baby was born. When the father of Calliope’s baby takes her child and runs to Vegas, Calliope goes after her baby. Sam’s uncle receives a vision of death and tells Coyote about it. Coyote tells Sam and he goes after Calliope.

Coyote has an interesting time in Vegas, as he tries to trick the casinos. Although Coyote manages to turn Sam’s life upside down, he helps Sam find apart of himself that he lost years ago.

I do not want to give away the ending or any more of the book away, but you will enjoy this book, it is worth reading. I must admit that I will read more of Christopher Moore’s books.