2008-08-13 A hoot.

I had been getting a little tired of these supposedly humorous reports - I find them often quite juvenile, and very unfunny (see my review of 'Rock On', by Ed Kennedy).

But this one really pulls it off. It is a gloriously funny book - I laughed out loud a few times, in public. Very refreshing.

AJ, as he calls himself, plunges into the Bible (starting with the Old Testament, and moving on to the New for the last three months). He takes this seriously, but never loses his sense of humour. He interviews rabbis, ministers of various churches, and professors of theology; he wants to understand how the Bible works. Should it be taken literally? Or should it be interpreted. Of course, he can never decide, but for practical reasons has to be reasonable - he can go along with not shaving and with sacrificing a chicken in New York but can't quite bring himself to stoning an adulterer (he does try to 'pebble' one, but is nearly punched in return).

And it helps that his wife is understanding. And she's funny too - she deliberately sits in all the chairs at home during her period, and so forces him to sit on his son's baby chair and to buy a portable stool for everyday use.

Even though it is fun, it is never cheaply insulting - that would have been too easy.

AJ: Bravo. You've done an excellent job.