Reviews for Last Testament : A Memoir by God

Booklist Reviews 2011 November #2
*Starred Review* Oh, God. And that's not a reference to the George Burns movie, though, admittedly, God as portrayed by Javerbaum has the same deadpan sense of humor. And, being God, he knows the current state of publishing: The future of print was without hope . . . and darkness had fallen upon the face of the entire industry. So he decides to help out by writing a telleth-all. Of course, he's written best-sellers before, but he almost outdoes himself this time. Writing in biblical form, God muses on many things. (It turns out God is quite a muser.) There is his commentary on biblical figures: Esau, a by-the-scroll kind of guy. Biblical events: The Ten Plagues were an exciting time. Celebrities: I have seen Nicole Kidman Botox her hair. He details the life of Jesus and explains the beginning of Islam: I had come to feel like I stood in my son's shadow. . . . And thou knowest me: I am one jealous divinity. And that doesn't even cover the Godlibs and the bonus section that lists 300 signs of the Apocalypse: The Wailing Wall . . . calms down and just sobs quietly. Of course, not even God can hit a home run every time. Well, presumably he could, but apparently he chooses not to. Still, there are enough laughs here, not to mention a dazzling underlying knowledge of theology, to give plenty of props to Javerbaum, former head writer of The Daily Show and God's stenographer. Amen. Copyright 2011 Booklist Reviews.

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Kirkus Reviews 2011 September #1

A real publishing "get": With the assistance of former Daily Show head writer Javerbaum (co-author: Earth: The Book, 2010, etc.), the Author (of everything) answers age-old mysteries with some unaccustomed straight talk.

Though the media-savvy Creator proves to be a 21st-century deity, he reveals, in this tell-all memoir, that he took a century off since sinking the Titanic in 1912. Apparently, he was messing with other universes. Now He's back and funnier than His first rib tickler with Adam and Steve; for lo, Steve came before Eve! Revelations, of interest to Jews, Christians, Muslims, the Perpetually Confused and a few fans of stray gods, cover such earthly matters as food, sports, crusades, America and, ever popular, sex. Many ecclesiastical secrets are explained in chapter and verse marked by faith, piety and extreme silliness. The Author, CEO of a major enterprise, takes time from His busy schedule to present much Holy Shtick. Judging by the jacket photo, the Timeless One hasn't aged since the official portrait by Michelangelo. Certainly, there are, as in His prior books, some arid, less-than-hilarious passages, but his Self-given wit offers much mirth for heathens and other Americans. Before we come to the End (of Days and the memoir), the Author provides a big finish with boffo one-liners regarding eschatological matters. Warning: If this text doesn't meet sales expectations, there may be Hell to pay.

A heretic's theological guide, some of which may passeth the understanding of the Bible Belt faithful but, lo, still damned comical. Amen.

Copyright Kirkus 2011 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.

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Library Journal Reviews 2011 June #2

With a little help from comedy writer Javerbaum, God speaks out on everything that has happened since the creation of the universe, starting with Adam and Steve and working up to the next 93 Super Bowl winners. Obviously, He's aiming for big laughs; buy if you think this sounds entertaining.

[Page 62]. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Publishers Weekly Reviews 2011 September #3

The Almighty opens up in this blithely blasphemous satire of monotheism. Ex-Daily Show writer Javerbaum (America: The Book) recounts God's Creation of the Garden of Eden (it actually was Adam and Steve before the sex-change procedure); the presentation of the Mosaic Law to safeguard "the long-term neurosis of the Jewish people;" the ministry of Jesus, which a dubious God considers a masochistic performance piece by an overly sensitive middle Child; the founding of Islam, which Allah Himself is a bit scared of; and a mid-life dalliance with younger universes when He feels taken for granted by irreligious moderns. Along the way, God regales readers with gossip about what celebrities do when they think they're alone, relationship advice--"Once thou hast Chosen someone, they are thine to tease, torment and disappoint forever"--and 300 signs of the apocalypse, including Sarah Palin's presidential run. God cherishes one-liners--"my two favorite baseball teams are the Minnesota Twins and whoever is playing the Cubs"--but he's also a complex, troubled Deity: vain, petulant, desperate for praise and burnt offerings, guiltily pensive in the after-wrath of unhinged smitings. Adherents of every Abrahamic faith will find plenty of hilarious, offensive manna for thought in these revelations. Photos. (Nov.)