10/19/2015 Lindvall (Surprised by Laughter) provides a comedic, uneven analysis of the role of satire in religious life across the ages. While he offers some trenchant analysis—as in his sections on the Hebrew Bible, which offer fresh perspectives on Balaam's donkey and Elijah and the Baal worshippers—Lindvall's use of jargon will be an obstacle to comprehension for lay readers. Although the book is well researched and examples are clear, academics are likely to find Lindvall's gratuitous references to popular culture an annoying distraction. The closing sections, in which Lindvall discusses how Stephen Colbert's Catholicism played a part in his Comedy Central show, are apt and interesting but diminished by hyperbole, such as when he labels the comedian as having "taken on the mantle of Elijah." While Lindvall makes the case that satire has been part of religious observance from the outset, his intriguing thesis feels inchoate and will leave many readers craving greater explication. (Nov.)
"This is a godsend for those interested in the role of humor in Christianity. It is remarkably comprehensive and detailed without being pedantic. Lindvalls writing sparkles with the same wit he is chronicling, making this book a delight to read."
"God Mocksshould be required reading for all ministers and religious bloggers that regularly speak or write with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other."
"I read Lindvalls book with great appreciation and learned a lot. It contained so much more than I expected, a virtual history of religious mockery, which no one has attempted before. It is a significant contribution to religious and cultural studies. Beside that, it is a just plain good read."
"From Balaam's ass to Erasmus to Kierkegaard to The Onion, Lindvall finds redemption in satire's impulse to make us better human beings."
"Readers of Lindvall will certainly understand satire better, while homilists who borrow from his wealth of examples will prompt at least a few hearty laughs from the pews."
"Lindvalls prose is elegant, and he is a fine guide on this rollicking, significant tour de force that belongs in all academic literature."
"God Mocksis a catalogue of hundreds of years of religious satire, parody, caricature, commentary, and mockery and most importantly, the differencebetween each and why some are more effective than others all intended to comment on the influence and practices of various religion orders and organizations over the centuries."
San Francisco Book Review
"Lindvall showcases his breadth as a historian and flair as a writer. He presents an abundance of content with a witty turn of phrase, which many will drink in with delight … it seems implicit that the book was written for educated readers—those who have some knowledge of history and comedic writing. It would certainly be suitable for an upper-level undergraduate or graduate level classroom."
"Terry Lindvall, a stand-up comedian cleverly disguised as an academic, makes the difficult art of humor look easy withGod Mocks."
"God Mocksleads readers through the comic savagery that believers have perfected over the centuries...Lindvall's book unfurls a delightfully variegated tapestry."
I read Lindvall’s book with great appreciation and learned a lot. It contained so much more than I expected, a virtual history of religious mockery, which no one has attempted before. It is a significant contribution to religious and cultural studies. Beside that, it is a just plain good read."-Harvey Cox,Hollis Research Professor of Divinity, Harvard University "Lindvall provides a comedic...analysis of the role of satire in religious life across the ages. Lindvall makes the case that satire has been part of religious observances from the outset."- Publishers Weekly “Lindvall’s prose is elegant, and he is a fine guide on this rollicking, significant tour de force that belongs in all academic literature.”- Catholic Library World "Terry Lindvall, a stand-up comedian cleverly disguised as an academic, makes the difficult art of humor look easy with God Mocks."- Virginia-Pilot "From Balaam's ass to Erasmus to Kierkegaard to The Onion , Lindvall finds redemption in satire's impulse to make us better human beings."- The Christian Century " God Mocks leads readers through the comic savagery that believers have perfected over the centuries...Lindvall's book unfurls a delightfully variegated tapestry."- Christianity Today "Terry Lindvall’s lively and witty prose is perfect for God Mocks , an engaging and fascinating history of the unexpectedly comical ways that prophets and preachers, artists and writers have exposed the sins and foibles of the saints across the ages. This broad and creative study cleverly probes the lighter side of human depravity to reveal how much satirical discourse has always been vital to the redemptive (and oft times entertaining) task of prophetic consciousness raising. A delightful, thoroughly researched, and perceptive contribution to understanding religious communication."-William D. Romanowski,author of Reforming Hollywood: How American Protestants Fought for Freedom at the Movies “ God Mocks is a catalogue of hundreds of years of religious satire, parody, caricature, commentary, and mockery – and most importantly, the difference between each and why some are more effective than others – all intended to comment on the influence and practices of various religion orders and organizations over the centuries.”- San Francisco Book Review "This is a godsend for those interested in the role of humor in Christianity. It is remarkably comprehensive and detailed without being pedantic. Lindvall’s writing sparkles with the same wit he is chronicling, making this book a delight to read."-John Morreall,author of Comedy, Tragedy, and Religion "This is an excellent overview and introduction to numerous authors of religious satire...will appeal to readers of literary criticism and church history buffs seeking a unique perspective."- Library Journal " God Mocks should be required reading for all ministers and religious bloggers that regularly speak or write with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other."- Patheos "Readers of Lindvall will certainly understand satire better, while homilists who borrow from his wealth of examples will prompt at least a few hearty laughs from the pews.”- Emmanuel
10/01/2015 Lindvall (communication, Virginia Wesleyan Coll.; Sanctuary Cinema) surveys written religious satire ("an effective form of indirect communication, except when it is misunderstood by its audiences") throughout history, focusing on the interplay between morality and humor. He plots many of the authors he discusses on a quadrant between two axes: from rage to humor, and from ridicule to moral outrage. Touching briefly on satire in the Bible and Rome, Lindvall spends the bulk and heart of the book focusing on satirical writings from the medieval period to the early 20th century. A final chapter and conclusion review the late 20th and early 21st century. This is an excellent overview and introduction to numerous authors of religious satire for the student of literature. However, an academic tone and the assumption that the reader is familiar with biblical allusions and religious history somewhat limits the audience. VERDICT This title will appeal to readers of literary criticism and church history buffs seeking a unique perspective. Recommended for academic libraries; particularly those supporting courses in religious literature.—Ray Arnett, Fremont Area Dist. Lib., MI