Rating: 
Summary: This book is very disappointing
Review: This book is very disappointing, and not merely because a multibillionaire apparently in good health, not having a brain tumor, kills himself. That was only one problem for me, and not the most serious, in a story populated by too many one-dimensional descendants, all bad, which could lead one to question whether their problem is not genetic. Worse, and a real sin for a novel, the plot drags as slowly as the boat Nate takes thru the Brazilian swamp. I am having trouble getting through the book.
Rating: 
Summary: A popular author not afraid to go deeper
Review: Grisham strikes chords loudly in this engrossing novel that many contemporary novelists would not be caught dead humming! What does it mean to fail? How can success and money be separated? Is there such a thing as redemption, and if so, how is it achieved? Does God have a place in today's society? The Testament inspired me to reach out more to those whose souls seem hopelessly compromised. That Rachael could find something worthwhile in Nate gave me more hope for myself.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to par
Review: This will probably be the last Grisham book I will ever read. I do not appreciate an author proselytizing to me about the Christian religion in a legal thriller. After the first chapter I had to force myself to read the tedious plot. Evelyn Wood method comes in handy. Ugh
Rating: 
Summary: not his best. somewhat predictable
Review: I have read quitea few Grisham novels and this one doesn't quite measure up. It starts promisingly enough with a great portrait of an eccentric billionaire jumping off his terrace. The pace is pretty quick here but peters out towards the middle of the book and the ending was predictable and a major letdown. Once you finish the book, its almost like you have to say --"you mean its over???". The end is far from satisfying and its almost as if Grisham wants a peaceful ending and tries to keep his somewhat stereotyped characters,all of them, pleased. Everyone goes home and lives happily ever after. This man's feel-good endings-here and in 'the street lawyer' leave a lot to be desired. do all rich billionaires have to be eccentric and sex-maniacs. are all second generation people who inherit money irresponsible. characters are stereotyped and the result is a far from satisfying book, seemingly not from the same man who gave us 'The Partner' or "A time to Kill". on the good side some of the characters-nate o'riley for instance is a very human protagonist and well described. but we still prefer powerful stories, not mush and social service stuff, with a twist in the end.
Rating:
Summary: A good book that renewed my faith in humans to do good!
Review: This book is pure Grisham, especially the last few books, including The Street Lawyer. In this book, a character's life is redeemed through meeting someone utterly selfless. Although I enjoy Grisham's hard-hitting thrillers, I found The Testament even more of a thrill to read. Today, with all the violence in the world, it is refreshing for a writer to focus on the ability to change one's life without destroying others. Though I hoped the greedy kids would have received nothing, I was appeased by knowing they would not have the money long. I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read, and it will leave you thinking of who you are and which character you most resemble. That alone is worth the cost of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining read
Review: This was not classic Grisham...it ventured away from courtroom drama and dealt more with legal proceedures regarding the last will and testament. While the journey was a successful one and I did enjoy the book, I enjoy the courtroom battles that are Grisham's forte. Overall, though, it was a very entertaining book.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing ending!!!
Review: I thought the book was very good up until the end. I was very disappointed that Mr. Phelan's children got anything. And to have Rachel die in the end, what was that about? Very disappointing! I was hoping she and Nate would get together and do good things with the money. The brain tumor made more sense, why would someone that healthy, rich and powerful spend time in an unneeded wheelchair and then jump to his death. I could understand with the brain tumor but without it, WHY? I'm a big John Grisham fan, have read all his books but this one was a disappointment. I
Rating:
Summary: Great beginning...no follow through
Review: Disappointing read from a favorite author. Great premise..beginning but crawled to the end.
Rating:
Summary: Slick read, but little "soul"
Review: Although I secured my copy of The Testament last spring, mixed reviews caused me to push it ever deeper in my "to read" pile. Given that background, I found it a pleasant, if unfulfilling, surprise. The premise of a feisty billionaire leaving nothing to his six known worthless children, and everything to a reclusive missionary illegitimate daughter, is enticing. The legal maneuverings and shenanigans are vintage Grisham, but the journey of the protagonist, Nate O'Riley, into the far reaches of the South American swamps, is more reminiscent of Tom Clancy without the urgency. I found the simple, sequential plot easy to follow without Grisham's usual subtlety. It is a page turner, but not an overly engrossing one. What would I have liked? More development of the characters of the whining children. A rounding out of Rachel, the missionary. An ending not so quickly achieved. Less berating of lawyers (c'mon, we all know how Grisham feels about the practioners of his first profession.) Better balance -- I enjoyed the "man against nature" conflict of the jungle, but too little legal substance in proportion to it. Finally, Grisham needs to rediscover his formula for literary tension: remember The Firm and The Pelican Brief? The genuine reader involvement of his early works seems to be lacking here.In summation, The Testament is a fun, easy to follow story. But it's not deep, and it's not what we've come to expect from John Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Full of suspense, but conclusion predictable
Review: I have read all of John Grisham books and this one is the best! I like how he formed the characters put on the shelf and came back to them with substance and meaning. This is a book that I have recommended to several people. Comment: I am concerned that he doesn't make mention of African American Attorney's in his books(One charater in Street Law). True this may be a reflection of the American Legal field, but this is fiction!
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