[rivethead]

Originally Posted by Thamob

Is it a comedy? It sounds interesting.

It's very funny, but I can't call it a pure comedy.

I've actually talked with Christopher Moore, and he basically wrote he book without every wavering from the concept that Josh--the name he uses for the Christ figure--was the son of God. He isn't trying to make fun of that. He does a great job exploring unique Christ's relationship with the sinner, and Biff is a tremendous sinner, and that is absolutely hilarious. But ultimately, the book is pretty insightful and meaningful. I've lent it to several very, very Christian friends--and the pastor who married my wife and I--and they loved it.

Moore has a great quote to start it, indicating the mind of the reader. I found it on the web, which is good, cause I'd have ruined it paraphrasing:

If you have come to these pages for laughter, may you find it.
If you are here to be offended, may your ire rise and your blood boil.
If you seek an adventure, may this song sing you away to blissful escape.
If you need to test or confirm your beliefs, may you reach comfortable conclusions.
All books reveal perfection, by what they are or what they are not.
May you find that which you seek, in these pages or outside them.
May you find perfection, and know it by name.

But a great sample of his work is:

It’s sarcasm, Josh.”

“Sarcasm?”

“It’s from the Greek, sarkasmos. To bite the lips. It means that you aren’t really saying what you mean, but people will get your point. I invented it, Bartholomew named it.”

“Well, if the village idiot named it, I’m sure it’s a good thing.”

“There you go, you got it.”

“Got what?”

“Sarcasm.”

“No, I meant it.”

“Sure you did.”

“Is that sarcasm?”

“Irony, I think.”

“What’s the difference?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea.”

“So you’re being ironic now, right?”

“No, I really don’t know.”

“Maybe you should ask the idiot.”

“Now you’ve got it.”

“What?”

“Sarcasm.”

Christopher Moore (Author of Lamb)

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