This is one of those books I never would have picked up if not for my book club, my monthly oust from my comfort zone. And yet again, I was surprised by what I got out of the experience.
This may sound strange, but I loved the middle of this book. As Jesus (Joshua) and Levi (who is called Biff) set out in search of the wise men who visited the manger all those years ago, in an attempt to learn what it is that Joshua’s father (God) wants of him, this book turns into an outlandish, at times ridiculous, and often laugh-out-loud funny adventure. The two travel the east, learning strange philosophies and religion, kung fu and meditation. The author takes liberties with history in lighthearted and often effective ways, making this something of a commentary on mankind. Joshua is portrayed throughout much of the book as one set apart, lonely and uncertain, with about as much information about what God wants of him as any of the rest of us have.
It took me some time to get into this book, not so much because the beginning was slow as because I just had to get used to the voice, and some of the outlandishness. Sections are written in modern days, with Biff in a hotel room with the angel who brought him back from the dead to write the gospel. Biff is presented as sort of a rough-edged jester, with his heart basically in the right place. He is unquestioningly loyal to Joshua from the start, which is, at times, a bit off-putting. Joshua questions his own divinity more than Biff ever does.
Without a doubt, the best part of this book was the part where it filled in the seventeen missing years of Joshua’s life not mentioned in any of the gospels. It’s hard to describe why it worked so well. Mostly, you just have to read it. The one-liners kept things light and amusing, but underlying all of this was a sort of human exploration of the wisdom of mankind.
I felt that something got lost once Joshua picked up his actual ministry. Before that happened, even though Biff didn’t entirely understand his best friend, there was a real connection there. Joshua shared his triumphs and uncertainties with his best friend. Then, in the blink of an eye, Joshua seemed to know all the answers. I guess his father finally deigned to tell him a few things when he fasted for forty days, but I wouldn’t have expected that to make him less human. The boy and young man who had been thirsty for knowledge and curious about the human condition, and especially about sex, lost nearly every scrap of humanity aside from occasional (and forced) stabs at humor. Biff’s character, too, seemed to diminish at this stage, with Biff becoming more of a hanger-on than anything else.
I do recommend this, although I’m not sure who I recommend it to. I’d say anyone, Christian or not, who has an open mind about religion and spirituality? (I am spiritual, but not religious.)
Rating: 4/5
Title: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal
Author: Christopher Moore
ISBN: 0380813815
Publication Date: February 1, 2003