 |
| Lamb |
I was feeling a little down at the beginning of this week, so I pulled out a book that I knew would cheer me up. I’ve read it at least five times before, but it never fails to make me laugh out loud. Also, every time that I read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal, by Christopher Moore I get something new out of it.
This time, I was really struck by the way that Moore incorporated Buddhism and Taoism into the book in a way that was both highly entertaining and very educational. I only ever took one class in Asian philosophies, but I remember having a hard time wrapping my mind around how Buddhists and Taoists see the world. I’ve often joked about that fact that I’m not relaxed enough to be Buddhist, even though I see the value it in. But having read the descriptions of Buddhism and Taoism, I wish I could see things as clearly as the monks in this book.
Also, I am always affected by the ending of Lamb. Even though the first parts of the book are just packed with hilarity, the ending is so wonderfully bittersweet. It’s incredibly moving for a book that’s billed as comedy.