Biff

While in Maine, I finished reading Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. It's hands-down, one of the best books I've read in months. If you were ever curious about Christ's (here, Joshua) childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood, give this book a shot. Of course, make sure you have handy a huge grain of salt and an extremely open mind before cracking the spine.

Christopher Moore is a very creative, very clever writer. In his postscript, he explains that the gospels cover very little of Joshua's life. Two gospels don't even mention his birth, and only one mentions his preaching at the temple at age thirteen. He thought that he would go about recreating what could have happened - that is, if Joshua had no idea how to be The Savior and his best friend was a smart-ass, sex-craving miscreant.

In the current day, Biff is raised from the dead by an angel and told that Joshua commands Biff's gospel. As a disciple, his version of Joshua's life was never told because of Biff's actions after the Crucifixion. Understandable, as you'll eventually discover. After blessing him with the gift of tongues, the angel takes Biff to a hotel in America and holds him prisoner until the new gospel is finished. Hilarity ensues as the angel (who speaks only Latin) becomes addicted to American soap operas and inadvertently insults the Latino bellhop time and time again.

The bulk of the novel follows Joshua and Biff as they seek out the Three Wise Men - who will be able to help Joshua become The Savior. Each event, each journey, and each lesson helps the reader understand how Joshua becomes the Lamb of God.

At Good Friday Mass each year, the Passion is read aloud, and it never failed to move me to tears. So as I neared the end of the book, knowing what was to happen, I dreaded turning the last few pages. I shouldn't have worried. Moore takes what should be a horribly sad chapter and makes it poignant and beautiful, though slightly dark (as it should be).

In Moore's version, Biff has a mad crush on Mary, Joshua has siblings, the Three Wise Men are both wise and insane, Joshua loved coffee, and Mary Magdalene was known as Maggie. Oh, and we find out what the "H" stands for in Jesus H. Christ.

It is an enjoyable, insightful read and I highly recommend it.