I have to admit that I did not read this book cover to cover as one would typically expect from a novel. However, I am indeed quite done with this book. This does not mean that it is bad in any way. Far from it, in fact, it is even quite good. The thing is, to truly appreciate this book, one must have a really good knowledge of the biblical story of David. Moreover, one should be familiar with the critics of the story, the fact that it appears twice in the Old Testament, and each instance has its own version of David.

What Heller does is create a well-rounded character in David. He is intriguing, funny, annoying, and more. "God Knows" is sort of a train of thought by David on his deathbed, retelling his story with a few twists on the biblical account (hence the requirement to know the story very well), and with a modern perspective. Since I am not a huge Bible buff, some of the nuances were lost on me, and I was left with a somewhat sketchy retelling of the biblical David. At a certain point, the novelty of a cynical David and a witty way of telling Bible stories wore off a bit, and I started to feel like I had exhausted the value this book had for me.

All in all, it was mostly entertaining, although it was somewhat chauvinist at times. I do recommend reading this book. However, if you do, you might want to read up on King David, his appearances in the Bible, and his legacy.

P.S. I highly recommend reading the Hebrew translation if you have access to it and can actually read Hebrew. This adds a lot of flavor. The translator did a fantastic job of interweaving biblical and modern Hebrew to the point where one can laugh out loud in appreciation of this sort of wordplay.

Witty.

Shamelessly honest.

Enlightening.

These are the words that come to mind when describing this brilliant read.

The author's unique style combines humor and candor in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Each page is filled with insights and perspectives that will make you see the world in a new light.

Whether you're looking for a laugh or a deeper understanding of life, this book has something for everyone.

It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates good writing and a fresh take on the human experience.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this brilliant read and prepare to be amazed.

You won't be disappointed.

I was the child in Sunday school that the poor teachers must have loathed. I would peek behind the curtain, pull the strings on our neatly packaged Bible lessons, and with wide eyes, watch the real, untamed Bible go up in flames. I suppose it's a habit I never managed to outgrow. So here I am, still the rebellious kid, relishing in the secret that behind all those prettily bow-tied morals lie wild kings, bloodbaths, and blasphemous sacrilege that no one seems to pay any attention to.

And then there's Joseph Heller. Ever since Catch-22, I've never had the desire to read another one of his novels, which I consider one of the two highest compliments possible. I definitely didn't want to read the sequel to Yossarian in Closing Time (how could I, when the first one is so perfect?), and wouldn't the others just be pale imitations of that beloved masterpiece? Like that favorite song on an album where the rest can never quite measure up. All because I had no idea that Heller took on King David. The moment I saw this book on the library shelf, I pounced on the premise, as excited as Joab on that fifth rib.

Oh, how I adored this book. From beginning to end, it wrestled with Catch-22 like Samson with one hand tied behind his back. The old Sunday-school feeling of getting in way over my head, of "Oh no, I'm really going to get it for this," only made the pleasure all the sweeter. I don't think there's much middle ground when it comes to this book. I believe you either have to love it with a passion or hate it with a fiery, book-burning vengeance.

Which should be just as enjoyable.

Leave it to Heller to read the same Bible that I have. The Bible that isn't tidy, that doesn't make sense, that isn't filled with abstract saints in stained glass. It's a Bible full of complex, flawed people who do belligerent and senseless things. People who are as brave and as scared as any of us, who are filled with love and hate, cruelty and the most dangerous kind of humanity and passion. They laugh. They live. They royally mess up and get royally messed over. And I can't help but think that this is the David that those old stories are trying to tell. Not the serene shepherd, the psalmist, the stalwart king. No: the scrappy, stubborn, cocky, crazy, wild, maddening, bitter, beloved kid, completely sincere and completely full of it, head over heels for Bathsheba, burning the kingdom down in flames. The chosen king of this nonsensical God, a God of cryptic riddles, burning bushes, and incomprehensible demands. We're the ones who tried to tame it into sainthood. We're the ones who do the story in all of its human absurdity an injustice.

Heller is just someone putting a little flesh and blood back onto the bones: skillfully, hilariously, reverently irreverent, with that knife twisting in your heart all along.

I'm just the one over here, loving every single word of it.

Many people read Catch-22 and believe they have experienced the best of Joseph Heller. In fact, when Heller was questioned about why he never wrote anything as outstanding as Catch-22 later in his life, his response was simply "Who has?"

However, his wit and unique style remain intact in 1984's God Knows. In this work, Heller retells the story from the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles through the perspective of King David, the main protagonist. In the novel, David is an elderly man, confined to his bed, waiting for death while reminiscing about his life.

His quarrelsome favorite wife, Bathsheba, constantly pesters him to make their son Solomon the king, but David believes the young man is unfit and lacks intelligence. Meanwhile, Abishag the Shunammite attempts, unsuccessfully, to keep the old man warm. As David reflects on his youth, he recalls his confrontations with Saul, his conquests, his numerous wives, and most importantly, his troubles with God, which led to heartbreaking family crises.

The book is filled with humor, its characters are vividly portrayed and highly relatable (especially the Lord), and its protagonist is both admirable for his eloquence and despicable for his flaws. It is a testament to Heller's talent that he can bring a new perspective to one of the greatest stories ever told and make it feel refreshing. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone.

Stopped reading at page 236.

I just found myself not having the slightest desire to pick up the book anymore.

Moreover, I wasn't able to absorb what was written on those pages.

This is a clear indication that this book is simply not meant for me.

Perhaps the main reason is that I probably don't possess sufficient background knowledge on the original stories.

As a result, I couldn't fully understand the parody within the book.

In addition, I quickly grew weary of the constant repetition and the rather monotonous narrating figure.

The lack of variety in the narrative style made it difficult for me to maintain my interest.

All in all, it seems that this book and I are not a good match.

The 9th century BC Biblical King David was a remarkable figure. He was a king with great power and influence, yet he also had a sensibility that could be compared to that of a 20th century Brooklyn Jew.

This is an old story that has been told and retold over the years. However, in this version, there are comic flourishes added to make it even more entertaining.

David's adventures and misadventures are brought to life in a humorous and engaging way. We see him dealing with the challenges of being a king, while also having a sense of humor and a unique perspective on life.

The combination of the ancient story and the modern sensibility creates a truly unique and enjoyable reading experience. It makes us think about how the past and the present can intersect and how even the oldest stories can be made new again.

Overall, this is a story that is sure to delight readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of a good story to transcend time and place.

The story of King David is presented in a rather unique way. He is depicted as a once-great wunderkind whose glory days have long since passed and who has even lost his connection with God. Solomon, on the other hand, is painted as a bit of a moron, and Bathsheba as a scheming woman.

It's a tale that manages to be both funny and touching at the same time. The author skillfully combines Biblical speech with modern slang, creating a humorous effect that keeps the reader engaged. David's references to modern things, even though the "now" in the book is when he is seventy and it's still the Biblical era, can be a bit jarring at times.

What I found most appealing about this story was how human the characters were. Heller takes the apparent discrepancies in Scripture and transforms them into symbolic, meaningful, complex, and truly human acts. Additionally, the disjointed chronological order of the book is reminiscent of the ramblings of an old man looking back on his life, with each story triggering memories of another.

All in all, this is a very solid book that offers a fresh and interesting perspective on the well-known Biblical figures. It makes you think about the characters in a new light and appreciate the depth and complexity that can be found within the pages of the Bible.

For the first time in many years, I found myself unable to finish a book. I was approximately 100 pages from the end, yet I simply could not continue. Heller's work focuses on King David's final days and memories, but it seems more like one long session of complaining. There are indeed some humorous moments, but in my opinion, I much preferred "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal" written by Christopher Moore.

You're familiar with how the Bible contains those extensive chains of "xx begat xx who begat xx who begat xx"? Well, this book is very similar, but instead it's along the lines of "then I went to Giza to smite, then I went to Maziz to smite there too, and then to Judea to rest up, but there was smiting there..." and so on. What's more, there was no map provided, so I had no clue where any of these places were.

I didn't quite understand the cover at first, but then I noticed it was similar to that of "Catch-22". I suppose the publisher wanted them to have a consistent look in the box sets. The font in this book is extremely tiny, and after reading for half an hour, I was disappointed to discover that I had only managed to get through 8 pages.

I would have deducted a star regardless because Heller seems to have copied a story. We're already familiar with the tales of David and Goliath, David and Saul, David and Jonathan, David and Bathseba, and so forth.

At first, this book truly appeared to be offensive.

However, by the conclusion, I am convinced that it simply depicts King David as a human being.

Of course, Heller deliberately makes things seem as offensive as he possibly can.

But if one can endure reading the entire work, it becomes evident that David grapples with emotions regarding himself, his family, and his relationship with God, which are likely struggles that everyone encounters.

Nevertheless, it still isn't an outstanding book.

It pales in comparison to Catch-22.

Overall, while it does offer some insights into the human condition through the portrayal of King David, it fails to reach the same level of excellence as Heller's other renowned work.

The offensiveness, although perhaps a deliberate literary device, may turn off some readers and prevent them from fully engaging with the deeper themes presented in the book.

Nonetheless, for those who are willing to look beyond the initial shock value, there are still some interesting aspects to discover.

Irreverent and funny, this work is filled with crazy anachronisms that add a unique charm. It offers a brilliant exposition of the mythologising of history, presenting a fresh and engaging perspective. However, it does have its drawbacks. It can be overlong, which might cause some readers to lose interest along the way. Additionally, there are repetitions that could have been avoided to make the narrative more concise. Nevertheless, despite these flaws, it remains a great ride. The overall experience is still enjoyable, and the unique take on history makes it a worthwhile read. It manages to capture the reader's attention and take them on a wild journey through time and myth.

I thought it was truly brilliant writing.

Joseph Heller has this remarkable ability to write from the point of view (POV) of King David of Israel. However, what makes it even more fascinating is that he does so in the tone of a 20th century American Jewish man.

This unique combination creates a truly captivating reading experience.

But here's a word of warning.

If you are not familiar with the books of I and II Samuel in the Old Testament, you will find yourself hopelessly lost while reading this.

These books provide the necessary context and background to fully understand the story and the characters.

Without that knowledge, you may struggle to make sense of the events and the emotions that are being described.

So, if you're planning to read this, it might be a good idea to brush up on your Old Testament knowledge first.

It will enhance your enjoyment of the book and allow you to fully appreciate the genius of Joseph Heller's writing.

I'm certain that I would have liked it even more if I had received a greater number of references.

Nevertheless, I still managed to find it to be quite entertaining.

However, it is important to note that it is not on the same level as Catch 22.

The latter is a classic work that has had a profound impact on literature and is widely regarded as a masterpiece.

While the piece I'm referring to has its own merits, it simply cannot compare to the genius and significance of Catch 22.

Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience it.

Perhaps with more references and a deeper exploration of the subject matter, it could have come closer to achieving the same level of excellence.

But as it stands, it remains an entertaining yet somewhat lesser work in comparison to the great Catch 22.