Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible! Paperback – April 7, 2009

I too had heard a few of these, read by the author on NPR. So I was aware that they would not be offensive, at least I think they are not. The Preface sets the tone. If, like me, you enjoy that most Jews have a sense of humor about being Jewish, well, then you will find yourself enjoying the family as they dine out, not Kosher but Kosher-style. Is there a difference you ask? Need you! My companion is Jewish, so I have experienced much of this. His family pays visits! Need I say more. The Preface says it all. And then come the truly wonderful retellings of the all-too-familiar biblical stories. I do have a sense that even some members of the clergy--those with a sense of humor--might be reading these stories from pulpits. Maybe not those who adhere to Jerry Falwell's sense of theology. This is just plain fun to read.

After hearing one of the stories from Goldstein's collection on This American Life, I ordered the book. Each of these reimagined Biblical tales is not only entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, but also deeply reflective. These stories could be straightforward parodies or "roasts," given the subject material, but instead they are complex and full of human frailty under their compulsively readable surface. Unlike New Testament stories, there is no attempt to paint God as an infinitely caring, loving, knowing parent in the Old Testament canon, so these stories paint a more complicated relationship where God's favor does not necessarily come to those who are "good," or even morally sound. In these pages, being God means never having to say you're sorry. This God is much more human in character--insecure, demanding, despotic, even petty--which, not surprisingly, makes for an excellent page-turner.

I heard the author read excerpts from this book on NPR's "This American Life" w/ Ira Glass and was bowled over by his creative and very human interpretation/embellishment of Bible stories. As far as I can see, there's nothing blasphemous and it is more personal and upclose than the originals.One of the most creative things he imagines is how Adam's grandchildren always wanted to rub his stomach because he had no belly button. Quite honestly, I had never thought of that. . .

Some humorists are as clever in their oral delivery as in their writings (e.g., Woody Allen and David Sedaris); others are better performers than writers (e.g., Steve Martin and Garrison Keillor). I would include Jonathan Goldstein among the latter.This isn’t to say that “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible!” doesn’t shine in parts, it’s just that Goldstein’s oral interpretation makes them so much funnier and fresh. Goldstein’s book is a collection of humorous takes on Bible stories, all but one from the Old Testament. The best among these are the stories of “Adam and Eve” and “Jonah and the Big Fish.” His three-part version of the story of King David—as a jokester—is an example of a fresh idea with high potential that gets old after a while, although the ending intrigued me enough that I’ll want to return to it. The problem with most of the stories is that the humorous angle wears out its welcome too soon. So much better are Goldstein’s performances of these stories on public radio (and also found online).I wanted to love this book more than I did. I recommend checking out Goldstein’s performances of the material before picking up the book.

This is the kind of book I’d like to see as required reading in seminary classes, to teach would-be pastors to discover their inner humorous side. Put this alongside Christopher Moore’s “Lamb,” or Michael Malone’s “Handling Sin,” or Joseph Heller’s “God Knows.”

This collection of retold Bible stories is absolutely hilarious. Goldstein fills the stories with ironic twists that add a new way of looking at the relationships between the carachters and God. He often adds human qualities and sometimes explains the fatal flaws that each of them had. I highly recommend this one for a fun read that can even make you think a little differently.

Sometimes a book is such pleasing fun, that you buy one for a friend so you can pass along the joy, and create inside joke between you. If you don’t giggle throughout this book, you probably don’t have any friends and can disregard my suggestion.

Like some other reviewers, I heard the Adam & Eve chapter read on This American Life and loved it so much that I bought this book. Overall I thought some parts were better than others (the segement read on NPR was the best part of the entire book), but I really enjoyed it. I liked how the author added backstory, flavor, and personalities to the Biblical figures and stories. I would definitely recommend it.

This book is hilarious. Can be read in bits at a time, always easy to pick up and have a laugh.

I have two copies of this book now... I lost one lending it out and got a new one because i love it... and then the old one came back. get it... get two... because you are going to love it

This is classic Goldstein work -- wry humour mixed in with poignant framing of common struggles.