David is constantly repeating himself, boasting that his is the greatest story told in the Bible.

Joseph Heller, the renowned author of Catch-22, conveys this through the mouth of his protagonist. Heller ingeniously utilizes the grand narrative of King David to spin a modern tale of a man who becomes disillusioned towards the end of his life.

He skillfully jumps back and forth between the biographical account, the end of David's life, and his posthumous existence, all with a healthy dose of cynicism and wit. In "God Knows," time is a rather murky concept.

Bathsheba even talks about being on birth control pills, which adds a comical and unexpected twist. Joab devises a plan for a worldwide invasion to prevent the end of the monarchy, the industrial revolution, and concentration camps. Moses, on the other hand, is still struggling to overcome his stutter in the afterlife.

It is evident that Heller thoroughly enjoyed writing this book, and that enjoyment seamlessly translates to the reader. This results in a thought-provoking yet hilariously entertaining account of what is号称 the 'best story in the Bible.'

Joseph Heller crafted an outstanding exploration of life, morality, and religion by allowing David to narrate his own Biblical tale.

David is a complex figure - a revolutionary, a poet, a remarkable leader, a womanizer, a lover, and an unapologetic egomaniac. The story unfolds in a lively, humorous, and at times, irreverent manner. It features great supporting characters that add depth and dimension to the narrative.

However, some sections of the story do become repetitive. Had it been condensed to 200 - 250 pages instead of the current 350, it could have been a true masterpiece. Nevertheless, as it stands, Heller has still written a story that is well worth reading.

His unique perspective and vivid portrayal of David offer readers a fresh and engaging look at this familiar Biblical character. Despite its flaws, the story manages to captivate and leave a lasting impression.

It challenges our perceptions of morality and religion, and forces us to consider the many facets of human nature. Overall, it is a testament to Heller's skill as a writer and his ability to create a story that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

A Comedy of the Story of King David

On his death bed, King David lies there, and the story unfolds in a rather comical way. It is a narrative that has always been my favorite from Joseph Heller's works.

He diffidently asks, "Is that you, God?" And to his surprise, the reply comes, "Mephistopheles."

"Oh, shit," he says, groaning with disappointment. "Are you after my soul?" he inquires.

The mocking answer follows, "Do I need souls? I want mischief, not souls…" This exchange sets the tone for a humorous and unexpected turn of events.

The story continues to develop with King David's interactions with Mephistopheles, filled with witty remarks and strange situations. It's a unique take on the traditional story of King David, adding a touch of comedy and satire.

Overall, it's a captivating and entertaining read that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Joseph Heller's ability to bring this story to life in such a comical way is truly remarkable.

I have to file this under "For Heller Completists Only". Like all of his other novels, it's fantastically written. It's funny and caustic with moments of great satire. However, unfortunately, there's a significant amount of dull retelling of some of the Historical books of the Old Testament. This aspect really slows down the pace of the story.

I like to think it's a commentary on the droning nature of the Bible's storytelling. When seen as a fantasy anthology, the Old Testament can be rather tedious, and some of that dullness has seeped into "God Knows". If it were condensed to half its length and focused mainly on David's relationship with his wife Bathsheba and his son Solomon, it could potentially be an outstanding read. David's frustration in his conversations with his rather dim-witted son is truly hilarious, and their exchanges are enhanced by the knowledge that Bathsheba insists on Solomon succeeding David as king. But, unfortunately, those engaging conversations don't make up a large enough portion of the text.

Heller's use of modernisms provides humorous juxtapositions to the "thees" and "thous" of the Bible. Some of the anachronisms, such as multiple references to Shakespeare, didn't quite resonate with me, though. While I can accept his use of "fuck", I have difficulty understanding why elderly David, as the narrator, references events thousands of years in the future. On a positive note, David describing one of his wives as the ur-WASP is quite clever. Overall, it's often a great read, but it's a bit of a mixed bag. An Old Testament scholar with a sense of humor who doesn't study the Bible as a strictly religious text might very well love this.

I'm getting a slow start here.

Probably because I wasn't anticipating having to read the entirety of 1st and 2nd Samuel to access this story.

However, the story is uproariously funny.

It's a completely irreverent narrative of King David, and what makes it even more interesting is that it's told by King David himself.

The truly enjoyable aspect of this book is the blatant anachronisms.

It combines ancient Hebrew culture, with its harems, rape, pillage, and war, and casually references modern culture, like mini skirts, Coney Island, and the Holocaust.

On the topic of his supposed romance with Jonathan, David complains, "Smutty repetitions... I was writing serious poetry... I am David the King, not Oscar Wilde."

This unique blend of the old and the new creates a truly entertaining and thought-provoking read.

It makes you look at the story of King David in a whole new light and challenges your preconceived notions about the past and its relationship to the present.

This is a fictional,warts-and-all autobiography of King David from The Bible. Joseph Heller, being Jewish, might have had a liberal view of the Old Testament, as suggested by this book.

I found the interpretations of Biblical events in this book highly amusing. It depicts King David as petulant and narcissistic, similar to a combination of characters from Heller's other works - Yossarian from Catch-22 and Bob Slocum from Something Happened. The use of non-Biblical language, like swear words, adds to the comical effect.

Most of the source material comes from the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, mainly focusing on King David's relationships with his numerous wives and his opposition to Solomon becoming the next king. There are some running gags that I liked, such as the observation about Samuel having two books named after him despite dying halfway through the first one, with David constantly complaining that they should be called 1 and 2 David.

There are other interesting observations too, like how people in the Bible with hard-to-pronounce names didn't have much going for them, while all the memorable figures had names like David, Joseph, and Abraham.

I also noticed that the narrative jumps around in the timeline quite a bit, which takes some getting used to. Some events, like the exodus from Egypt and Saul's death, are mentioned in detail more than once. The book is filled with anachronisms, with several references to people and books that came long after Old Testament times, like frequent quotations from Shakespeare.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, although it's not one that can be read quickly. I was often laughing out loud, but wasn't surprised when moments of tragedy started to occur later in the book, as they seem to be a characteristic of Joseph Heller's novels. It might offend those who are very serious about their religious beliefs, but I would recommend it to anyone else.

Although it is nowhere near as inane as "Catch 22", I definitely won't be inflicting another Heller on myself.

His concept of humour and mine are light years apart. I simply could not fathom or appreciate his brand of humour. It felt so foreign and unappealing to me.

Moreover, the way he bounces around through time in his stories is horribly annoying. It makes it extremely difficult for me to follow the narrative and get fully immersed in the story.

I understand that some people might find his writing style and humour captivating, but for me, it's just not the case. I'll stick to other authors who can better resonate with my literary tastes and preferences.

King David, as he lies on his deathbed, begins to share the story of his life.

Looking back, he is filled mostly with regret. There were simply too many marriages, which brought him more complications than joy. His children, too, were often ungrateful, causing him great heartache. And then there were the in-laws and relatives in general, who seemed to add to his troubles.

He recalls his famous victory over Goliath, but also speaks of his son Solomon, whom he considers rather idiotic. Heller presents a believable "historical" account that is both controversial and entertaining.

It might be seen as sacrilegious or blasphemous by some, but there is no denying that it is definitely funny. "Catch-22" was Heller's renowned masterpiece in 1961, and this work from 1984 is also a significant achievement, a true Magnum Opus.

I decided to read this particular book

because I had a strong aversion to Catch 22. I was really hoping to find something that would resonate with me more, and this book seemed like a promising option.

Interestingly, my mom actually owns a copy of it. I thought it might be a good opportunity to explore a different kind of literature.

As I started reading, I found myself getting more and more engaged. The story had a unique charm that kept me turning the pages.

It was refreshing to discover a book that I could truly enjoy, especially after my negative experience with Catch 22.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this reading journey takes me and whether this book will become one of my new favorites.

Overall, I'm glad I took the chance and picked up this book that my mom owns.

I firmly believe that I have to give up the aspiration that any of Heller's works can match the magnificence of Catch - 22. When we compare the two, God Knows indeed had a more straightforward and understandable core narrative. However, the efforts to be witty seemed more contrived and inappropriate. For example, the historical king referring to modern technology that he couldn't possibly have known about. Instead of being artfully incorporated into the narrative, it felt out of place. I think Heller did an excellent job in developing David's character in a relatable and humorous manner, without these forced moments that ultimately diminished the reading experience.

Moreover, God Knows lacked the intermittent moments of profound emotional impact that were present in Catch - 22 and remained rather平淡 throughout in comparison. That being said, I do feel that a more comprehensive knowledge of Old Testament events and characters might potentially have enhanced my overall level of enjoyment.

The stylization of the book about the biblical king David's memoir is also very interesting, just like Heller's writing style itself, which he presented in this book. I like the mixture of antiquity and modernity. The content itself didn't move me and at a certain moment, listening about wives and politics got boring for me xD Nevertheless, I think it's a good, albeit specific book. One has to like it.

" The past has no value if the present is not as good as it."

"Nothing is more boring than success."

"A person's self-awareness at the end of life will tell you what he thought about his entire worth."

"The last thing a reasonable person may desire is immortality. After all, most of us already live too long."

An extraordinary novel indeed!

It commences with King David as he is depicted in the First Book of Kings, during the final days or weeks of his life, accompanied by his new servant girl, Abishag the Shunammite.

The novel has David reflecting on his life, yet he also has knowledge of the future. Early on, he gripes about his portrayal in Chronicles:

“In Chronicles I am a pious bore, as dull as dishwater and as preachy and insipid as that self-righteous Joan of Arc, and God knows I was never anything like that.”

So, the question arises: is David also narrating his story from the afterlife, or has he been shown this future by his prophets? The novel is rife with deliberate anachronisms, not only in relation to what David knows but also used by the other characters. Personally, I couldn't quite fathom why the author included these. Were they intended to be part of the humor? If so, this aspect didn't resonate with me; it was the one element of the book I disliked. Perhaps it's due to my overly orderly mind.

I would assert that having a knowledge of the Bible is beneficial when reading this. I attended primary school in the Scottish Highlands in the late 60s and early 70s, and back then, we had a half-hour Bible lesson every day. However, beyond the fight with Goliath, my teachers steered clear of Samuel I and II. No doubt, the tales of rape, adultery, and lusting after naked women were deemed inappropriate for young minds. Shortly after commencing this novel, I read through Samuel I and II, and the novel does adhere closely to David's life story as presented there. What it also accomplishes is the development of the characters and their motivations. To avoid spoilers, I won't elaborate further, except to mention that the portrayal of Solomon was one of my favorite aspects.

The God in this story is a capricious entity. I chuckled at David's description of Moses and the Exodus:

‘…Forty years this went on, with God wrathful and fulminating and the people recalcitrant, stiff-necked and disobedient. ‘Till the day arrived when – weary enough to want to wash his hands of it all I’ll bet – he hiked up Mount Nebo to the top of Pisgah for his look across the Jordan at the Promised Land he was barred from entering for some undisclosed trespass neither I nor anyone else has been able to figure out.”

In the story, David never forgives God for slaying his first-born son with Bathsheba. In many respects, this is a central event in the novel, causing a permanent rift between David and the God who once favored him.

I was initially inclined to say that I thought the book would appeal more to men than to women, since it's told from David's perspective and David wasn't just a man; he was an absolute man. However, I observe that some female reviewers have given it high ratings, so perhaps that thought was inaccurate.

Imaginative, irreverent, raunchy, filled with “earthy” language, uproariously funny in parts, with a poignant conclusion.