Well... Let's assume no one in the world will be offended by this. 'Kay?
It's pretty damn funny. Lamb is the story of Biff, who first met Jesus when they were six. Shortly thereafter Jesus punches him for offering to make Mary his concubine. That about sets their relationship up for the rest of the book. Biff is Jesus's close friend, watching his back, facepalming when Jesus tells too much of the truth, and tagging along to keep him out of trouble as they set out from their town to cross the world. In short, he's the rascal who keeps the story grounded and funny. The world is researched well. Moore impressed me with a authentic feel, even though we have so little authentic tales of day-to-day life in that era.
The early book is the childhood trio, Jesus, Biff and Maggie (Mary Madelene, recently moved to town) . It's good comedy, Biff fawning over Maggie, Maggie fawning over Jesus, and Jesus really wants the messenger angel to go back and get some clarification on this 'not know the touch of a woman' thing. There's the roman soldier Justus, who shakes his head at the boys and just knows they'll be trouble when they get older. It all comes apart when Maggie s betrothed to the son of a pharisee and Biff and Jesus decide they can't stand to see her married. Jesus sets off to find the three magi who came to him at the manger and Biff follows to make sure nobody conks his friend and robs him.
Their travels tack them to Persia, to China, to the Himalayas and to India. Jesus meets his three teachers, learning compassion and wisdom; Biff learns explosives and kung-fu. Well, Jesus learns kung-fu as well, but he refuses to strike out at anyone, leading to the worst pun of the book.
The humor breaks down near the end. I dare anyone outside Monty Python to make the crucification funny. Still, it's a good book, trading comedy for drama at the end and I'd consider reading more of Moore's work.
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