The Testament

Rating:
Summary: The Testament
Review: From the moment I began reading it, I was spellbound. I could not put it down. I usually turn in early, but for some reason I could stop reading. Th characters seemed so real. Nate was a gem. It was nice to see him really try be be a decent human being after all the pain he had caused. The book showed another example of how greed can turn some people in to monsters. The Testament is one of the best books I have read in ages.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, but not up to his best
Review: I enjoyed this book overall, with probably the best parts Nate's trip into the Brazilian interior and his battle with drink. You never were quite sure when he'd fall off the edge again. But the fizzling relationship stakes with Rachel took the edge off for me and meant it wasn't up to Grisham's best past form, which I would rank as The Rainmaker, The Client, The Chamber and The Firm, pretty much in that order. However, I might have been spoilt by a recent read, 'Past Imperfect' by John Matthews, the best thriller I've read in years. What attracted me, amongst dazzling press and amazon reader reviews, was one which claimed it was reminiscent of Grisham and Crichton, but with better characterization and plot than both. I would concur. A definite 'don't miss' read. I'm not sure if it's available yet from American publishers, but it is in England through amazon.co.uk - which is where I saw the reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Great book - but lousey ending!
Review: I thought this book was a great read. The plot was great and the development of the characters were good as well. I was very disapointed in the ending. You have no idea what happens to Nate? Does he become a missionary? Do the spoiled children get any of the money - do they actually settle for the 20 million? Does Rachel's will stand up in court? There were so many unanswered questions that he could have answered, I was very disapointed when I got to the last page - I thought surely there was a mistake with my book.

Rating:
Summary: A Definite Page Turner Until the End
Review: Once again, Grisham writes a wonderful book up until the end. It was a definite page turner changing from one plot to the next while interconnecting them. However, as with the majority of his books, the ending leaves something to be desired. Just when you are ready for one final punch, you are let down by a serene and relatively unmemorable ending. The rest of the book was very good even though a few parts dragged on. I would definitely recommend the book, though.

Rating:
Summary: Fun read - dull ending
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, primarily because I was in the mood for a fast and easy read after the holidays. The book starts out with a bang, and the story was fun to follow. But, my main criticism of almost all Grisham books continues to be that the author doesn't seem to know how to end something. Everything gets wrapped up too neatly and easily, and that's it. I wanted more - after the great beginning and interesting middle, I felt cheated with a cop-out ending.

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Summary: God and Lawyers don't often mix - Grisham hits a home run!
Review: Few books touch me as this one has. I have read earlier Grisham novels with generally mixed results. I was reluctant to read this book based on that history but had read glowing reviews and the plot description intrigued me. The juxtoposition of the fast-paced style of the lawyers with the simple life of the missionary cannot be overstated particularly in our secular society. Regardless of your personal views, this book should make you think and reason...to me that is an excellent recommendation for a book...Now I may go back to some of those Grisham books that I have passed up!

Rating:
Summary: A mediocre book from Grisham
Review: The book starts with a gripping storyline but then it drags on. The ending is obviously a rush and lacks the exciting pace that Grisham used to have, like in Runaway Jury. Well, at least it's better than The Street Lawyer. Read it only if you have time.

Rating:
Summary: What a Testament
Review: I have always enjoyed reading or listening to John Grisham's books. I was excited when I found this one which involves two totally different worlds: the world of money, greed, success and failure and the world of love of God, caring for others, and concern for the lost. These worlds clash when an eccentric father bestows his wealth on his only known daughter born out of wed lock. The drama unfolds between two extremely different worlds: both jungles. But, in the midst of a heavy battle for money, truth wins out in a strange sort of way, lives are changed forever, and life is better because of it. I recommend this book for anyone searching for meaning in life. Though the storyline is fiction and excellent reading, the way life happens makes it all the more exciting. Good job, Mr. Grisham.

Rating:
Summary: Best book in a while
Review: This book was a god send as it let me while away the hours after christmas. The Testament is another great book in a long list of John Grisham books and deserves the accolade of 'Bestseller' written all over it. As soon as I picked it up I could not put it down again, from start to finish I felt as if I was 'IN' the book.

Rating:
Summary: Very marginal effort
Review: I was very disappointed in this book. I think John Grisham has reached a point in his career (like Steven King) where he realizes that he can sell books without really putting a lot of effort into them. This book like Steven King's Bag of Bones could have used a lot of editing to cut out the "filler." The problem with that is if the editor had cut out what really wasn't really an integral part of the book, there would probably ahve been less than a 150 pages.