Who knew King David was such a kvetch?

This parody of the life of David is, for the most part, both funny and clever. It manages to take the well-known story and put a humorous spin on it. However, there are some sections that seem a bit drawn out, perhaps causing the pacing to lag slightly.

Nonetheless, it is likely to be even more amusing if you are already familiar with the biblical account. Those who know the original story will be able to pick up on the subtler references and jokes, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.

Overall, while it may not be perfect, this parody offers a unique and entertaining take on the life of King David. It shows that even a serious and well-known story can be made light of and turned into something fun.

Whether you are a devout follower of the Bible or simply someone who enjoys a good laugh, this parody is worth checking out. It may just surprise you with how much you enjoy it.

Sort of a madcap version of King David's story, told in the first person.

Here, I vividly describe some of the bawdier details that the Bible doesn't. For instance, the Bible never delves into the practical logistics and headaches of maintaining a harem in a warm climate. Heller doesn't sacrifice the real account for entertainment. So, I'm truly amazed by David's story retold, and reminded of many forgotten details.

I'm impressed by his steadfastness in the face of hardship and adversity, and his faithfulness to God. Even though there's more of his anger, lust, and beleaguered longing here than in the Bible. The interactions with Abner, cast as an insensitive dolt, Nathan, whom David sees as an enigmatic killjoy and is harassed by his Socratic way of answering, and Jonathan are funnier and more modernly humanized.

David tries to dispel rumors of homosexuality with Jonathan, explains their weeping together ("We did a lot of weeping back then."), and blames his difficulty understanding him on the King James translators. Since this is a Joseph Heller novel, it's very funny but can quickly switch to sadness, anger, and violence. I really enjoyed it, even if some might think making David into a cantankerous modern Jew is an affront to the mythical and/or Biblical casting. But I say, if that's the case, just read the real Bible, which is clearly the holier account.

It took me quite a while to finish reading this book!

Surprisingly, when it comes to the events described in the Scriptures, it is quite accurate. However, it is written in a satirical and ironic tone, which gives it a unique flavor.

There are pages and pages of rather crude expressions, so you should only read this novel if such things don't deter you. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with how the relationship between Bathsheba and David was described. Their attraction seemed to be purely physical. In the book, Bathsheba is portrayed as a greedy and ambitious woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wants. And her son Solomon is depicted as a halfwit.

Still, overall, it was an interesting novel to read. It managed to surprise me and a few times even made me laugh out loud because it was so ridiculous! Interestingly, it ended on a lyrical note, which was strangely touching and left a lasting impression on me.

It’s a vivid and detailed human portrait of King David, encompassing all his warts, wives, and everything in between.

At times, it is uproariously hilarious, while at others, it tugs at the heartstrings. God Knows manages to carry a significant amount of religious satire without reducing our narrator to a mere caricature. He is brimming with passions and flaws, all of which are laid out in full view, making it an engaging and entertaining read. However, my only gripe is the repetitiveness that creeps into the novel. Heller seems to repeatedly fall back on the same lustful asides, which were highly amusing initially but started to feel a bit tired as the story progressed.

Nonetheless, it offers a humorous perspective on this momentous (heh-heh) figure. Give it a try, but don’t go in expecting another Catch-22.

Joseph Heller truly hits a home run with this remarkable work.

This book serves as a brilliant satire of the life of King David, yet it skillfully delves into the complex internal struggle of a Jewish man. He grapples with his deep-rooted faith, the dynamics of his family, and the ever-present issue of his ego.

The story takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, being surprisingly heartfelt and filled with moments of profound sadness. However, it also has the ability to make one burst out laughing with its witty and humorous elements.

Heller's masterful storytelling weaves together these different aspects, creating a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. It offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the challenges that come with balancing one's beliefs, relationships, and self-identity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-written and multi-faceted story that can both touch the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Okay,

I read this a long time ago, when I was just becoming religious. At that time, I was full of curiosity and enthusiasm for religious teachings. However, this time, as I was reading, I found myself gradually losing interest. I stopped about halfway through because it was kind of boring me.

The content seemed to be repetitive and lacking in新意. It failed to capture my attention and engage my mind. Maybe it was because my perspective had changed over the years, or perhaps I was simply looking for something more profound and thought-provoking. In any case, this reading experience made me realize that our interests and needs can change, and what once appealed to us may no longer hold the same charm.

A Comedy for the Bible Scholars, Which I Am Not

This is a truly hilarious comedy that is specifically tailored for the bible scholars. However, I must admit that I am not one of them. Nevertheless, I found it extremely funny.

It's quite remarkable how the humor in this piece is so intricately woven with references and allusions to the bible. While I'm sure that many of the jokes are going over my head, I still managed to catch a good number of them and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The way the story unfolds and the characters interact is both entertaining and engaging. It's a refreshing take on a subject that can often be seen as serious and solemn. I would highly recommend this comedy to anyone, whether they are a bible scholar or not. It's a great way to unwind and have a good laugh.

I'm truly sorry, but unfortunately, I just couldn't bring myself to finish this book.

I managed to reach page 70, but then I made the decision to move on.

Throughout the entire week, I've been constantly picking it up and then putting it down.

The book was making a great effort to be funny, yet I simply found it extremely boring.

It seems that the humor it was attempting to convey just didn't resonate with me.

Maybe it was the writing style or the plot that didn't capture my interest.

Whatever the reason may be, I just couldn't get past the feeling of boredom that persisted while reading this book.

I hope that the next book I pick up will be more engaging and entertaining.

In God Knows, Joseph Heller presents a retelling of the story of David.

As David contemplates his life and legacy in his final days, Heller's account fails to offer anything novel or captivating.

His so-called narrative "innovation" of jumbling time, allowing David to comment on his portrayal and cultural importance in European arts and literature, serves more as a diversion than an enrichment of our comprehension of David.

Christopher Moore's Lamb, which blatantly plagiarized Heller in its retelling of the story of Jesus, is actually better in some aspects.

However, for those truly interested in the story of David, it is advisable to return to the original source material.

This will provide a more accurate and in-depth understanding of the character and his significance.

By doing so, one can avoid the distractions and shortcomings of Heller's reinterpretation.

Ultimately, the original text remains the most reliable and valuable resource for exploring the story of David.

Read this years ago.

It was a piece of writing that left a lasting impression on me.

The words seemed to come alive on the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Each sentence was carefully crafted, carrying a depth of meaning that I could sense even then.

As I read, I was transported to another world, one filled with emotions and experiences that I had never known before.

The story unfolded like a beautiful tapestry, with each thread contributing to the overall masterpiece.

I found myself completely immersed in the narrative, unable to tear myself away until I had reached the very end.

Even now, years later, the memory of reading that article still lingers in my mind, a testament to its power and beauty.

I often wonder what other hidden gems of literature are out there waiting to be discovered, and I look forward to the day when I can embark on another literary adventure.

King David, the successor to Saul as the king of Israel, is a figure whose life is first told in 1/2 Chronicles and Kings.

In this retelling, presented in the first person, the characters of the Old Testament are humanized, and there is a touch of dry humor, which Heller probably couldn't avoid.

All in all, I believe this retelling follows not only the story but also the spiritual intent of the original tales. There are also some fun anachronisms in here for you to enjoy.

It's not exactly sacrilegious, but it's not exactly pure either. It's probably uninteresting to the extremely pious and equally uninteresting to anyone unfamiliar with the Old Testament. In fact, it's best suited for an apostate like myself, who is better versed in the verses than the average churchgoer and far less likely to be offended by anything said about them.

Overall, this retelling offers a unique perspective on the life of King David and the events of the Old Testament.

Having been an ardent fan of Catch-22, I had long been eager to explore more of Heller's works. Something Happened, his successor to Catch-22, was the book I had heard the most about, mainly that it was a demanding read that left many of his fans shocked and questioning whether he had lost his talent for sharp satire. I had never even heard of God Knows until it was handed to me last week with the recommendation that it was "like Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal for the Old Testament set."

I suppose that's an appropriate description as far as the content goes. The story consists of the late-life reminiscences of King David, the powerful slayer of Goliath, as he reflects on his successes and (far more) failures and tries to decide which of his two remaining sons, Solomon or Adonijah, to pass the throne of Israel to upon his death. However, where it differs from Moore's classic biblical farce is that it's simply not funny. Period. There were moments when I admit I chuckled, but for the most part, it was just an old man complaining about all the women he used to have in his prime, lamenting his impotence, and trying to take credit for writing Hamlet and inventing microwave ovens (anachronisms abound throughout the pages of this book). If you like your curmudgeons with few or no redeeming qualities, then you may enjoy God Knows much more than I ultimately did.

Still, I actually finished this book, which is an achievement considering how little patience I've had for trying new books this year. Despite all its flaws, and believe me when I say there are many, I was still drawn into the story. It's been a long time since I've read the Bible, and I've made no secret of the fact that I just don't care about religion, but I enjoyed the refresher course. I didn't realize that Aldous Huxley's book Eyeless in Gaza was a reference to Samson's death, or that Tommie Lee Jones' Iraq War film, In The Valley of Elah, was a reference to the valley in which David fought Goliath. Regardless, when the only positive thing I can say about a book is that it helped me deepen my understanding of cultural references, chances are the book wasn't worth the time I spent on it.