Rating: 
Summary: Great book, from cover to cover
Review: I have read "The Firm", "The Pelican Brief", "The Client", and "The Runaway Jury", and "The Testament" was by far the most enjoyable. The book is a refreshing break from Grisham's other works, providing an uplifting message that all can appreciate. Nate's progression from a hopeless alcoholic to a responsible, thoughtful man with a new purpose in life is wonderful. I also like how Grisham portrays Rachel, her mission, and faith, without the kind of gratuitous ridicule I found in Barbara Kingsolver's "The Poisonwood Bible". All in all, a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Redemption
Review: I found this to be a very profound story of redemtion. I really like how this story evolved. It was interesting how Troy and Nate were similar; except, Troy new how to save money and Nate didn't. I felt sorry for the Phalen heirs, because they were doomed from birth. I even had some sympathy for Troy; simply for the fact, with all his wealth he was still lonely and angry.
Rating:
Summary: The View of an Upcoming Lawyer
Review: John Grisham really out did himself when he wrote this novel. The book really gave me a look at how hectic and unpredictiable life in the law field really can be. This novel was actually recommended to me by a friend, and let me tell you that once I started reading, I could not set the book down. It's truly a work of art that grabs your attention in the first few chapters. John Grisham's style of writing is truly absorbing, and believe I that at least 92% of the people who have read this book will agree with me.
Rating:
Summary: The Human Condition according to a Lawyer
Review: This was one of my favorite books written by Grisham. He has shown that he has a human side, something that is quite uncommon amongst lawyer. Perhaps he did in fact make the right career choice when he moved away from a future of jurisprudence and power lunches. In the modern fast paced world would think that the probability of an alcoholic and a missionary hitting it off as they dit in this story to be impossible. I, and Grisham, have said and think why not??It is well told story that I thoroughly enjoyed right up to the last page.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham comes back with power
Review: The Testament by John Grisham/Fiction; Random House, 1999:Troy Phelan, the tenth richest man in America with holding estimated at 11 billion dollars, is staring into the eyes of death. With only hours left Troy is being examined by three psychologists, one from each ex-spouse, to make sure he is mentally sound in order to sign this last will. After each psychologist has had his shot at Troy they all agree unanimously that he indeed is mentally sound. Watching in another room via cameras all three families are pleased they will finally be getting their millions. The psychologists and families vacate the Phelan building, Troy's hardly humble tower, but before of the property Troy pulls out a new, hand written will. After signing it he slowly creeps from his wheelchair. His lawyer Josh Stafford, Josh's assistant, Durban, and Troy's maid, Snead, the only people still present did not notice until it was too late. Troy had walked outside on the terrace, and jumped over the rail, plummeting to his death. After getting over the shock Josh Stafford opened and read the will on camera saying that he was present during the signing and saw that indeed Troy Phelan did sign it. The biggest shock yet came while reading the will, which left most of Troy Phelan's fortune to an unknown, illegitimate daughter, a missionary named Rachel Lane. The Testament, an action suspense novel by John Grisham, clearly portrays his unique style of writing where each character seems to be written by one whom has experienced all the hardships the character goes through. With Troy Phelan every little move was calculated ahead of time. Troy Phelan's descent did not reach the level of high drama he had dreamed of. Instead of diving to the earth like an angel, a perfect swan dive with the silk robe trailing behind, and landing in death before his terror stricken families, whom he'd imagined be leaving the building at just the right moment, his fall was witnessed by a lowly payroll clerk... (The Testament, page 22) Nate O'Riley, who was struggling to recover from his alcoholism, fell into a deep state of self-sympathy while in Brazil. While describing this scene Grisham leads the reader to believe that Nate O'Riley is speaking to you, not the author Jon Grisham. Late in the afternoon he stopped in a small deli a few blocks from the hotel. He was roaming the side-walks, saw that the deli was open, and walked into it with the hope of finding a beer. He was alone on the far side of the world. It was Christmas and he had no one to share it with. A wave of loneliness and depression fell hard upon Nate, and he began to slide. Self-pity seized him. He saw the rows of bottles of liquor, all full and unopened, whiskeys and gins and vodkas, lined up like pretty little soldiers in bright uniforms. His mouth was instantly dry, even parched. His jaw dropped and his eyes closed. (The Testament, page 150) Through both Grisham's excellent writing and the great plot, The Testament has been a great read. John Grisham has been writing very similar book over the past few novels which includes a protagonist running from his past. In this narrative you can see similar qualities with Rachel Lane however through creating several main characters: Nate O'Riley, Josh Stafford and Rachel Lane, Grisham has created a new frame which is a spectacular read.
Rating:
Summary: The Testament- One of my all-time favorites!!
Review: This is the first John Grisham book I ever read, and I had it in my possession for seven months before I actually read it. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop! This book is now one of my all-times favorites. After finishing this book, I quickly snatched up all the Grisham books I could find.
Rating:
Summary: Great Message .... Well Done
Review: This was my first book by J. Grisham. I truely enjoyed it. It was the work of God that turns Nate's life around. Although, J Grisham never said that the message was very clear. It kept my interest from beginning to end. I enjoyed the court action and I enjoyed the power of God turning Nate's life around. Awesome book. I had to read other books by JG just because of The Testament. Well Done...
Rating:
Summary: Page turner...
Review: I gave up on Grisham after attempting to read the Chamber. Boy am I glad I gave him another try. This book was excellent...I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: sudden adventure-ridden dive into the brasilian jungle
Review: After three books which lacked excitement that was not even accomplished with narrational extravagancies - although that does not say that the "Runaway Jury, The Partner or The Street-Lawyer" were bad books, it just means, that the Testament is a surprisingly fresh wind after a long period of strictly legal thrillers. After having finished reading The Partner I felt almost convinced that John Grisham was rapidly running out of ideas, all lights turned red, self-destruction on hand,T minus 30 secondes, you know what I mean. I've read every single book by JG and there are only two I absolutely don't like. His first, "A Time To Kill" (too long, too uninteresting) and "The Rainmaker" (only touching if you are a lawyer. There are 3 I love. "The Firm", "The Chamber" and "The Testament". The "Pelican Dossier", "The Client" and all books after the Rainmaker are good as well, but consider the first three as classics. The Testament takes you on a hysterical trip into Brasilian swamps, countdown clock ticking restlessly away, you join the hero, Nate, on his mission to find the heir of one very rich son-of-an-out-of-a-window-hopper. Nate's struggling with his booze-addiction, while facing existential failure. His assignment seems to be his last chance. After three books JG finally managed to create a character you could feel and absolutely identify with - even if you're not one of the hard-boiled kinda folks who drink 2 bottles of vodka in less 3 or 4 hours and wake up the next morning - alive! Buy this book in hardcover and put it next to your other JGs - but in a special place. This is a book that really deserves the "laudes".Maybe it is no coincidence that it marks the end of JGs first decade of writing.
Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: Being only 15, I thought The Testamant would be too difficult to understand, since it talked about lawyers and there battle with the will, but John Grisham did an excellent job writting his new book. I was not once bored with the story. An old man who has 11 billion dollars in the bank and makes a will that sends it all to a woman deep in the jungle...awesome. Nate O'Riley, the man sent to find this woman in the jungle, just out of re-hab, adds a nice twist to the plot. It's an excellent read, but one thing got me dissapointed. The Testamant ended just to quickly. It just drops all of a sudden and leaves you hanging while scratching your head. But, other than that, this book is one of the best i've read in a while. Pick it up!
|
