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Summary: CHANGE OF PACE FOR GRISHAM
Review: I have read many of John Grisham's books, liked some of them, loved some. This book was a change of scenery. Being a "back to nature" person myself, I enjoyed reading about how people in the absolute far corners of the world live. Sending someone from "our world" into this primitive land made it even more interesting. Here is a person who thought he could not live without cell phones and fax machines and computers and suddenly he comes face to face with a woman who has no interest in wordly possessions, not even when she discovers she is the heiress to a fortune.
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Summary: Excellent descriptions of rural Brazil -- well-written
Review: While this book measured up to Grisham's previous ones in terms of suspense, his placement of the setting in Brazil was really a welcome change. His descriptions of rivers, people, weather, and more were not just right-on-the-money, but so descriptive that you could paint a complete mental picture. Folks, that's an example of good writing.
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Summary: Some good points; some bad points
Review: I had never read a Grisham novel before this one. I absolutely loved the legal maneuvering involved -- especially Nate's tearing the greedy wannabe-heirs' testimony apart in the depositions. On the other hand, I'm surprised I got through the monotonous and contrived religious conversion of the main character, as much as I was rolling my eyes.The bottom line is that I found The Testament entertaining enough to want to sample other Grisham works; if, however, the preachiness and prayerfulness become a thread throughout his work, I'll probably never be a fan.
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Summary: Still better than most
Review: A good read but not as great as some of his earlier work. Some nice research was put into the book so it was not totally out of tune with what happens in society.
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Summary: Excuse me, your moralism is showing.
Review: Grisham has built his reputation on the superb suspense of "The Pelican Brief," "The Client," and "The Firm." "The Testament" is the first, but not the only one, of his books that I find distasteful because he has begun to show an unflattering tendency to moralism. I want Mr. Grisham to entertain me, not to instruct me. This novel is spoiled by an alcoholic lawyer who meets a missionary, then travels the long, long road to god and redemption on the reader's dime. If I want inspiration, I will seek it out. The book did not give me the wonderful reading experience that the first three did.
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Summary: FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY
Review: The first two chapters of THE TESTAMENT set the stage for what has to be great story. From the beginning, Grisham leaves an element of surpise, one you can't figure out without reading the book. A filthy-rich patriarch reads his last will and testament, then immediately commits suicide. Who will inherit the fortune? Will all the heirs be found? How do they perceive the changing of the will? This story is made more relistic by Attorney Nate O'Riley, and ex-alcoholic, who is giving his all to see that the problems are relsoved quickly, peacefully, and in keeping with the most valid will. The characters and personalities range from vicious, greedy and selfish to the peacefully sublime. It's a really good read, but it could have had a better ending.
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Summary: Whats not to like?!
Review: Its not every day you read a book that mixes legal suspense with the dangerous surrounds of a Brazilian jungle!I think this really is an excellent book.Everything seems to be a surprise.I dont see why people seem to think the end to this book is unthought of because i thought it was quite a good idea, something unpredictible.I think this is one of the best books John has wrote,and i hvae read all of them.Definitely buy it!
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Summary: The Testament
Review: The book The Testament is a story about a lawyer trying to track down an unknown heir to a billionaire's estate. Troy Phelan is a wrecked old man. He has no family that he considers his own. All of his six children hate him, they only like his money. After writing a will to give all of his money to an unknown heir he commits suicide. The children of Troy Phelan are furious about their father's decision. They send a court order to have their fathers estate divided equally. Nate O'Riley is sent to the jungles of Brazil to find the unknown heir Rachel Lane on a peace corporation operation. After finding Rachel Lane and hearing her decision to decline her fathers money Nate is sent back to Washington D.C. to argue about the remainder of the estate should be decided among the children of late billionaire Troy Phelan. Will Rachel Lane change her mind or will the children of Troy Phelan get the remainder of the estate? Legal Thriller 5 stars
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Summary: One of the best
Review: This was probably my favorite Grisham novel. It contained less of the standard legal ramblings than most of his other novels. It seemed to center more on the characters themselves and less on the legal world.
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Summary: A fast read with good characterizations.
Review: Tory Phelan has 3 ex-wives, 6 disagreeable children and 11 billion dollars. In a surprise move, he jumps out of a 14th story window leaving his fortune to Rachel Lane, his illegitimate daughter no one even knew about. His family has no idea at first what's in the will and already begins to spend the money on the day of his death. Rachel is a missionary somewhere in the remote jungles of Brazil. It is up to Nate O'Reilly to find her. He has just been released from his 4th try at a rehab clinic. His life is in shatters. The IRS is after him, his children are estranged, he still wants to drink and he's very disillusioned with being a lawyer. His trip to Brazil is a real eye-opening experience for him. He learns the meaning of friendship, survival and sacrifice. When he does find Rachel, another problem presents itself. When he goes back home, will he be able to hold on to the self-respect he is starting to gain when he's drawn back into court to protect her rights against an unlikeable family and unscrupulous lawyers? Nate is a very sympathetic character and you will find yourself rooting for him on his voyage of self-discovery.
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