I don't think Christians read it. I felt like I wasted my time reading it. The Bible, the Koran, and the Upanishads were all disappointing reads. Confucius, Lao Tzu ,and Machiavelli were more fun- if you are just looking for something to read.

I'm not sure theres a super short, edited version with notes, like for most books you have to read in college or such, but I wouldn't be surprised

As a book I would have to say that it is a pretty lousy read. The plot line is a mess and it contradicts itself constantly, there are a few asides that are just rabbit holes that don't go anywhere unless you are able to suspend reality completely. Have you tried Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, it's much better.

That depends. What do you want out of a book?

A few good laughs, a few good short stories, and perhaps a better understanding of much in western culture and art, a lot of which derives for biblical sources.

Having said that, I was taught the bible at school as a child, and you are also missing out on a lot of rubbish and inarticulate drivel, prejudice and and long boring meaningless tracts which just fill up space. If you are stuck at home because of the C. virus you could gain something from reading it. But try, War And Peace, or The Lord Of The Rings, first, if you value your sanity.

Its a great read, there's some nice bits in psalms that are fun and revelations shows what a psychotic breakdown looks like in literary form.

YMMV, though, as it also has some pretty disturbing stuff about genocide, rape, murder, incest, and dietary restrictions.