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Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal Paperback – May 25, 2004
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Everyone knows about the immaculate conception and the crucifixion. But what happened to Jesus between the manger and the Sermon on the Mount? In this hilarious and bold novel, the acclaimed Christopher Moore shares the greatest story never told: the life of Christ as seen by his boyhood pal, Biff.
Just what was Jesus doing during the many years that have gone unrecorded in the Bible? Biff was there at his side, and now after two thousand years, he shares those good, bad, ugly, and miraculous times. Screamingly funny, audaciously fresh, Lamb rivals the best of Tom Robbins and Carl Hiaasen, and is sure to please this gifted writer’s fans and win him legions more.
- Print length444 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherWilliam Morrow Paperbacks
- Publication dateMay 25, 2004
- Dimensions5.31 x 0.74 x 8 inches
- ISBN-100380813815
- ISBN-13978-0380813810
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From the Publisher
| Customer Reviews |
4.1 out of 5 stars
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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| Price | $21.97$21.97 | $15.19$15.19 | $16.14$16.14 | $12.02$12.02 | $15.99$15.99 | $14.39$14.39 |
| More by Moore | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Editorial Reviews
Review
“An instant classic . . . terrific, funny and poignant. — Rocky Mountain News
“[Moore’s] most ambitious book.” — East Bay Express
“I haven’t finished reading [LAMB] yet, but I’ve managed to laugh myself to tears on more than one occasion.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
From the Back Cover
The birth of Jesus has been well chronicled, as have his glorious teachings, acts, and divine sacrifice after his thirtieth birthday. But no one knows about the early life of the Son of God, the missing years -- except Biff, the Messiah's best bud, who has been resurrected to tell the story in the divinely hilarious yet heartfelt work "reminiscent of Vonnegut and Douglas Adams" (Philadelphia Inquirer).
Verily, the story Biff has to tell is a miraculous one, filled with remarkable journeys, magic, healings, kung fu, corpse reanimations, demons, and hot babes. Even the considerable wiles and devotion of the Savior's pal may not be enough to divert Joshua from his tragic destiny. But there's no one who loves Josh more -- except maybe "Maggie," Mary of Magdala -- and Biff isn't about to let his extraordinary pal suffer and ascend without a fight.
About the Author
Christopher Moore is the author of eighteen previous novels, including Razzmatazz, Shakespeare for Squirrels, Noir, Secondhand Souls, Sacré Bleu, Fool, and Lamb. He lives in San Francisco, California.
Product details
- Publisher : William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (May 25, 2004)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 444 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0380813815
- ISBN-13 : 978-0380813810
- Item Weight : 12.5 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.31 x 0.74 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #13,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Humorous American Literature
- #139 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #184 in Humorous Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Christopher Moore is the author of 15 previous novels: Practical Demonkeeping, Coyote Blue, Bloodsucking Fiends, Island of the Sequined Love Nun, The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Lamb, Fluke, The Stupidest Angel, A Dirty Job, You Suck, Fool, Bite Me, Sacré Bleu, The Serpent of Venice, and Secondhand Souls. He lives in San Francisco.
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book humorous and witty. They describe it as an interesting read that makes them think. Readers appreciate the author's respectful approach to Christianity and their quest for faith. The book is described as thought-provoking and imaginative, with good research on various topics. Overall, customers praise the writing quality as intelligent and well-told.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it witty and hilarious, with lighthearted moments that add to the story's appeal. The author is described as a wonderful storyteller who brings lightheartedness to the life of Jesus.
"...You absolutely have to read this book if you like Moore‘s books, love humor, want an alternative history about who Jesus was, enjoy reading about..." Read more
"...Christopher Moore's writing is both funny and deeply humane--he pokes fun at the world with tenderness and benevolence...." Read more
"...realize is that not only is it fictional, but the author tells the story in a funny way and pokes fun at everyone from the Pharisees and Sadducees..." Read more
"...Love it for the story(which did a good job of cementing my faith oddly) love this edition is a great conversation starter." Read more
Customers find the book interesting and enjoyable to read. They describe it as a great story with an engaging narrative style. While some readers find it has strengths and weaknesses, overall they consider it literary entertainment.
"...Lamb is, to put it simply a masterpiece. It has the right balance of adventure, humor, serious topics, mystery, history...." Read more
"...Is Lamb a perfect book? No. Some of the humor was a little too slapstick to really work...." Read more
"Lamb is an interesting book that will either appeal to your funny bone, or turn you hopping mad...." Read more
"...with as a Bible-believing person, but I still think its artistic, literary, entertainment, and certainly relationship-with-God value is enough to..." Read more
Customers find the book relatable to modern readers. They appreciate the author's respectful approach to faith and spirituality. The book provides a fresh perspective on the life of Jesus, while remaining faithful to biblical history and daily living details. Readers also mention that the book makes their spirituality stronger.
"...Lamb was painstakingly researched; it's poignant and real; and, oh yeah...it's incredibly funny." Read more
"Bought this edition of the book because it looks like an actual Bible...." Read more
"...think its artistic, literary, entertainment, and certainly relationship-with-God value is enough to make me overlook the less-than-holy shortcomings..." Read more
"This is a clever laugh-out-loud satire that skewers religion, power, and notions of masculinity...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking and imaginative. They appreciate the creative perspective and modern ideas about how the world can be better. Readers praise the author's ability to take serious topics and transform them into multidimensional stories.
"...It has the right balance of adventure, humor, serious topics, mystery, history...." Read more
"...kind and selfless...." Read more
"...All in all this is an interesting concept but I thought it had some problems so I only give this book four stars." Read more
"...Joshua(Jesus), for the most part, is the most lovable, perfect balance of God and man - you will be awed by the moments when the ways he is unlike..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's intelligence and thorough research. They find it insightful, poignant, and real. The author does his research on various topics, including Judaism. The book portrays the confusion of trying to become someone in a meaningful way.
"...It has the right balance of adventure, humor, serious topics, mystery, history...." Read more
"...Lamb was painstakingly researched; it's poignant and real; and, oh yeah...it's incredibly funny." Read more
"...The pair learn lots of interesting things - some of which become the basis for Christianity - and eventually find themselves coming back to Israel..." Read more
"...love this edition is a great conversation starter." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They find it intelligent, thought-provoking, and well-told. The characters are believable and relatable, with the author maintaining a realistic tone. Many consider it an accessible message that is worth reading before diving deeper into religious topics.
"...Lamb was painstakingly researched; it's poignant and real; and, oh yeah...it's incredibly funny." Read more
"...It was certainly worth seeing Jesus so human, so real, so near to us during his incarnation...." Read more
"...This is a story. But the author did do his research and tries to keep things real, even as he's stretching the truth and warping time to make things..." Read more
"...it is unlikely that Jesus sought out the Maji, the universality and depth of his message--as well as parallels between his sayings and the sayings..." Read more
Customers praise the book for its creative, witty, and sentimental rendering of religious themes. They find it original, with subtlety and clever insight into religious pluralism. The humor and images are appreciated.
"...Biff is his complete opposite, he is crafty, cunning and doesn’t say no to a little trouble making...." Read more
"...n't agree with as a Bible-believing person, but I still think its artistic, literary, entertainment, and certainly relationship-with-God value is..." Read more
"...This book is ALL ABOUT BIFF. It’s perhaps the most delightfully original and outlandishly witty and hilarious book that I’ve read in some time...." Read more
"...Moore verges on saying something truly wonderful and iconoclastic but he missed the boat entirely by upholding the status quo in the end, which is..." Read more
Customers have different views on the story. Some find it engaging with plenty of plot developments and conversations, and a fun fictitious story with adventure, drama, and two happy endings. Others feel the plot gets ridiculous at times, with the same jokes repeated over and over. The ending seems rushed, and some adventure details seem far-fetched.
"...history about who Jesus was, enjoy reading about adventure, drama and prefer a character driven story. In short: READ THIS BOOK!" Read more
"...prospective readers of this book should realize is that not only is it fictional, but the author tells the story in a funny way and pokes fun at..." Read more
"...Don't get me wrong. This is not a history book. The author confesses as much in a much appreciated Afterward. This is a story...." Read more
"...It is, to a very large degree, plausible...." Read more
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2019“Mankind, I suppose, is designed to run on – to be motivated by – temptation. If progress is a virtue then this is our greatest gift. (For what is curiosity if not intellectual temptation? And what progress is there without curiosity?) On the other hand, can you call such a profound weakness a gift, or is it a design flaw? Is temptation itself at fault for man’s woes, or is it simply the lack of judgment in response to temptation? In other words, who is to blame? Mankind, or a bad designer?”
I’m not going too far if I say, Lamb by Christopher Moore is probably my most favourite book ever. I think it was recommended to me around 2009 – I remember bringing it with me to my first UK trip ever in 2010 and by that time I’ve read it at least once – and I instantly fell in love. In the past 10 years I’ve read it at least half a dozen times. And I still find it damn hilarious every time I decide to reread it. Though I’ve been mostly reading in English for the better part of the last 8 or so years, I think this is the first time that I read Lamb in that language. I have a well worn Hungarian paperback which I love to pieces – and which have a much better cover IMO – and a lot of memories dragging it halfway around the world. And since I have a pretty strong link with the Hungarian version, I was a bit afraid whether the enjoyment would be the same. Translations can be tricky and in recent years I’ve not been happy at how some books were translated into my language. I’m happy to report, that in this case our translator did a damn good job. The original version really lives up to my Hungarian memories.
Have you ever wondered who Jesus really was? About what happened to him during that 30 years the Bible doesn’t bother explaining? I can assure you, many scholars researched the topic, but probably none of them were as amusing as Christopher Moore‘s book. In Lamb we follow Jesus’ or rather Joshua’s life from the time he is six until his death. We watch him grow up, try his hands in miracles which later made him famous, learn how to be a Messiah. We follow him across half of the known world at the time until he returns to his home in Nasareth to be the man he was destined to be. But he wouldn’t be able to manage all that without his most trusted companion, Levi who is called Biff. Joshua – as he was called in Aramaic – , is depicted as a serious, emphatic, sensitive child who grows up into the man we more or less know from the Bible. Biff is his complete opposite, he is crafty, cunning and doesn’t say no to a little trouble making. But most of all, he is loyal to a fault.
“The Law says that two must go with the flock to keep an abomination from happening. I can spot an abomination from fifty paces.’ Maggie smiled. ‘And did you prevent any abominations?’ ‘Oh yes, I kept all of the abominations at bay while Kaliel played with his favorite sheep behind the bushes.’ ‘Biff,’ Joshua said gravely, ‘that was the abomination you were supposed to prevent.’”
They complement each other well, and in truth they are more brothers than friends. He also has a sense of humor which highlights the events all through the book. Because, when your best friend is the son of God, you have to suffer the companionship of the stupidest angel and you find yourself in impossible situations – like dealing with a yak, or getting your best friend out of a bag among other things), your only chance to stay sane is to develop a great sense of humor. And a healthy dose of common sense. The connection Josh and Biff have is really awesome and I have a soft spot for books which depict brotherhood such as theirs.
“Little Joshua spun on his heel. ‘My name is not Joshua bar Biff, and it is not Joshua bar Joseph either. It’s Joshua bar Jehovah!’ I looked around, hoping that no one had heard him. I didn’t want my only son (I planned to sell Judah and James into slavery) to be stoned to death for uttering the name of God in vain. ‘Don’t say that again, Josh. I won’t marry your mother.’ ‘No, you won’t.’ ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘I forgive you.’ ‘She will make an excellent concubine.’ Don’t let anyone tell you that the Prince of Peace never struck anyone. In those early days, before he had become who he would be, Joshua smote me in the nose more than once. That was the first time.”
As Joshua tries to figure out what it means to be Messiah and how can he become one, together they set off to find the three Magicans who visited Joshua upon his birth. Their adventure lead them to Balthasar in Kabul, Gaspar in China and Melchior in India. In all three places they learn about the teachings of famous philosophies and ideas which later shines through his teachings. Out of the three destinations they visited, my favorite was Kabul and Balthasar’s home with the seven Chinese concubines and the mysterious iron door. Gaspar and the monostor was a fun one too, where Joshua and Biff has to learn to ju-do. The parts about India, while were interesting, felt a bit rushed and we didn’t spend as much time there to be able to properly immerse ourselves in it.
“Rumi had expressed my sentiments exactly, but I would be damned if I was going to let my last words be ‘Eek, a tiger,’ so I listened quietly as urine filled my shoes.”
The last part of the book retells the story we know better from the Bible – how Joshua becomes the teacher people look up at, how he performs miracles and gets on the wrong side of the Sadducees and Pharisees. Even though you well damn know what is going to happen, you can’t help but sit on the edge of your seat as you read and feel ALL the emotions. I swear I have a lump in my throat every time I near the end.
“Since I could remember, my friendship with Joshua had been my anchor, my reason for being, my life; now it, he, was running toward destruction like a storm-driven ship to a reef, and I couldn’t think of a thing to do but panic.”
Lamb is, to put it simply a masterpiece. It has the right balance of adventure, humor, serious topics, mystery, history. I loved all the little Easter eggs Moore put into this book referring to historical events, people (a guy from Turin takes a cloth from Joshua after he cleans his face with it!!), etc. Not talking about how much research he must have put in to give back the atmosphere of the era, the traditions of Jews and the stories we know from the Bible. But thourough research and exquisite writing wouldn’t have been enough to have a near perfect book. What makes Lamb exceptional is the humor and the characters that Moore brought to life. No matter how many times I read it, I just can’t help laughing out loud or be sad or excited for them to succeed in their quest.
You absolutely have to read this book if you like Moore‘s books, love humor, want an alternative history about who Jesus was, enjoy reading about adventure, drama and prefer a character driven story. In short: READ THIS BOOK!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2002What does the H in Jesus H. Christ stand for? I'll give you a hint--it's a family name. Beyond that, you'll have to read the book and discover it for yourself.
I interviewed Chris Moore for my writing ezine. At the time, he was in the throes of writing Lamb, and had been instructed by his publisher to keep the project hush-hush, lest a bad B movie rendition torpedo the whole thing. I remember him saying that this book would certainly "piss off more people" than any of his previous works--and from the looks of the reviews cropping up here, the process has already begun.
I've read every one of Christopher Moore's books--I'm a devoted fan. Every time I read Chris Moore in bed, I find myself laughing so hard that my husband refers to me as "the human equivalent of Magic Fingers." I have to believe that someone whose writing can evoke such a reaction has a true gift. Christopher Moore's writing is both funny and deeply humane--he pokes fun at the world with tenderness and benevolence. That style shines through in Lamb, a story retold by Jesus' life-long friend, the irrepressible Levi, who is called Biff.
At first glance, it might seem Biff is an archetype--the guy whose exterior reflects "a--hole," (to quote the angel, Raziel), but who actually possesses a heart of gold. But on further examination, Biff's more than that. He's intelligent (incidentally, the first to theorize that the world was round, and the first to speculate on the existence of gravity), kind and selfless. Sure, he has his faults, but that brilliant combination of jerk/gentleman is what makes him so intriguing.
Those who scoff at this book for religious reasons (and there will be many, I'm sure) are missing the bigger picture. As Moore relates in his afterword, the book was "not designed to change anyone's beliefs or worldview." But, for me, it did. I'm a Christian, and after reading Lamb I came away with a new understanding of Jesus (called Joshua in the book--Jesus is the Greek translation of the Hebrew, Yeshua, which is Joshua) as a human being. The fact that Jesus became human to redeem the world is the core of the Christian faith, and Christopher Moore brings that belief home with an almost magical tenderness. I found it moving to think of Jesus as a real person, and not some mystical, unreachable Godhead. Regardless of Moore's own religious beliefs--it's difficult to determine whether he views Christ as the Son of God, or a fascinating historical figure with a 30-year hole in his life story--Lamb meant something to me, and I know I'll read it more than once.
Is Lamb a perfect book? No. Some of the humor was a little too slapstick to really work. But as a whole, it's a bright spot in a world that has grown far too serious and cynical. Lamb was painstakingly researched; it's poignant and real; and, oh yeah...it's incredibly funny.
Top reviews from other countries
C DReviewed in Spain on June 8, 20245.0 out of 5 stars Both hilarious and hearbreaking
Only know Christopher Moore from his demented Shakespeare parodies but I was glad to find a lot of heart behind the madness.
Greg at 2 Book Lovers ReviewsReviewed in Canada on March 3, 20185.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Highly recommended.
Jesus Christ, can you think of any one person who has had more influence on two thousand years of history? I think we all know the story – born in a barn, pissed off many important people and ended up nailed to a tree. Christopher Moore has decided that there has to be more to the story. If we could sit down with Christ’s best bro from his teenage years back in Nazareth, what stories would we learn?
Lamb is pure genius. Let’s be honest, we were all stupid teens at one point in time. When you sit back and think about it, people everywhere from every time are more or less the same. Did Napoleon get picked on by the other boys because he needed a stool to get on his horse? Did Abraham Lincoln burn down a lob cabin while farting over an open flame? Was Attila the Hun afraid to kiss a girl? It’s fun to imagine what historic people would have been like when they were stupid teens.
This book had me laughing out loud, reading great one-liners and hilarious scenarios to my ever-patient wife, who has not yet forbidden me from speaking to her while she is reading. I loved how Moore created these magical scenes that would develop a theme or flat out statement from the Bible. For me, Lamb had a Forrest Gump appeal to it. Through the comedy, Moore told a heartwarming tale that portrayed the life of Jesus Christ in a whole new perspective. As a reader, I had a window into the events and influences that created the man. Yes, I know that it’s fiction, but it seemed plausible.
The characters. I just can’t say enough about the characters created by Moore. Biff, of course, carries the story. He is the peanut butter to Jesus’ jelly. Biff allowed us to see Jesus for who he was, a person just like any of us. They argued, farted and had each other’s backs. They were normal, yet exceptional. Moore didn’t neglect any of the other characters. I was able to see many familiar characters in a whole new light. Best of all, was his treatment of Jesus. We got to know the boy who became the man. We saw his struggles, his pain and torment, but we also saw him have fun and learn. There was nothing irreverent about the character.
Lamb might not be for everyone. The close-minded at one end of the spectrum or the other will hate it because they are supposed to. It’s fictional hypothesizing, enjoy it for what it is. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Rohan TiwariReviewed in India on December 3, 20185.0 out of 5 stars Go for it
Amazing book right from the start. It's witty and so engrossing that you won't realise how fast you move through over 400 pages.
Sally BellReviewed in Australia on June 3, 20175.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read thanks Christopher. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This filled in many blanks for me I've taken it all as gospel. Really looking forward to reading more Moore.
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IlseReviewed in France on June 17, 20165.0 out of 5 stars L'histoire du Christ comme on ne la connaissait pas
Excellent ouvrage, très drôle et bien recherché. Le "meilleure pote" de Jésus m'a rendu Jésus à échelle plus humaine, plus cool, plus réaliste que dans la "vrai" bible. Et les détails historiques sont très intéressants; j'ai enfin compris certains concepts de l'époque qui ont toujours été confus pour moi.
Une grosse grosse barre de rire en tout cas. Le roman s'entrecoupe a priori de créatures d'autres ouvrages du même auteur, ce qui me donne envie de lire plus!




