L'agneau
8.44 / 10 186K ratings
- Language
- French
- Published
- 2004
- Publisher
- Editions Gallimard
- Pages
- 560
- ISBN
- 9782070423880
The official gospels leave out the teenage years of Jesus, but his best friend, Levi bar Alphaeus, known to his pals as Biff, was there for all of it. Resurrected by an angel in the present day, Biff is given a unique task: to write a new gospel filling in the two decades of the Messiah's life that didn't make the final cut. Sequestered in a hotel room, he sets out to tell the story of a kid named Joshua who could perform miracles but still had to figure out how to be the savior of mankind, all with his sarcastic and fiercely loyal best friend by his side.
What follows is an account of their journey from Nazareth to the far corners of the earth in search of the three wise men who attended Joshua's birth. Their quest to understand divine destiny involves encounters with demons, lessons in kung fu, and insights from various spiritual traditions. This story presents a portrait of Joshua's humanity, exploring his growth from a curious boy into a figure of compassion and purpose through the eyes of the irreverent friend who knew him best. It is a narrative of profound friendship, adventure, and the untold education of the Messiah.
What follows is an account of their journey from Nazareth to the far corners of the earth in search of the three wise men who attended Joshua's birth. Their quest to understand divine destiny involves encounters with demons, lessons in kung fu, and insights from various spiritual traditions. This story presents a portrait of Joshua's humanity, exploring his growth from a curious boy into a figure of compassion and purpose through the eyes of the irreverent friend who knew him best. It is a narrative of profound friendship, adventure, and the untold education of the Messiah.
Original edition
Wohin du mich führst. ( Ab 14 J.).Originally published in 2001 German Carl Hanser
Other editions (60)
No summary for this edition yet.
What other readers say
Liked
The reviews overwhelmingly praise the book for its unique blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling. Many readers found it to be exceptionally funny, often described as "laugh-out-loud hilarious" and "pythonesque" in its comedic style, reminiscent of authors like Kurt Vonnegut. Beyond the abundant jokes and witty dialogue, reviewers were surprised by the book's touching and warm qualities, noting how it brought a profound sense of humanity to its central figure and explored themes of love and kindness. The novel's premise of filling in the "missing years" of a well-known historical and religious figure through the eyes of his best friend was lauded as original and creative. Despite its irreverent tone, many appreciated the evident research into historical context and Eastern philosophies, making the narrative surprisingly thoughtful and philosophical. The characters, particularly the loyal and earthy best friend, are highlighted as endearing and well-developed, serving as an anchor to the real world and enhancing the story's emotional depth.
Disliked
However, the book is not without its criticisms, with the most frequent concern revolving around its potential to offend. Numerous reviewers strongly caution that the book's satirical and often blasphemous humor may be deeply unsettling for devoutly religious readers who are not open to reinterpretation of sacred texts. Even among those who appreciated the humor, some found it to be inconsistent, describing it as "peurile," "gets old fast," or based on "racism, sexism, and homophobia" in certain instances. Pacing was another common point of contention, with several readers feeling that the middle section of the book, particularly the extensive travels, "dragged on" and could have been shorter. While generally praised, some found the characterization of the best friend to be occasionally one-dimensional, remaining a caricature despite his devotion. Additionally, a few reviewers felt that the author's endings tend to be abrupt or less fulfilling, with the conclusion of this story leaving some wanting more depth or a different approach to its well-known final events.
In short
Despite its divisive elements, the overall consensus among reviewers is that this is a brilliant and memorable book, often cited as the author's best work. It successfully navigates a challenging subject with both comedic flair and genuine respect for its characters and underlying message. This book is highly recommended for readers who possess a robust sense of humor about religion and are open to speculative fiction that reinterprets traditional narratives. It particularly appeals to those interested in exploring universal spiritual values and the human side of iconic figures, presented with irreverence but also warmth and thoughtfulness. Conversely, it is decidedly not for readers who are easily offended by satirical or unorthodox portrayals of religious subjects, or who prefer a strictly serious and reverent approach to such themes.
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