God Mocks

October 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 analysisâas in his sections on the Hebrew Bible, which offer fresh perspectives on Balaam's donkey and Elijah and the Baal worshippersâLindvall'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.

October 1, 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

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