Rating: 
Summary: A must read......
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt for Nate as he struggled with his addictions, and I was cheering for him as he was fighting them. The story was believable and gave me a clear picture of what it must be like for alcoholics. I think this book is now my favorite John Grisham book now, bumping Rainmaker and Runaway Jury to second and third place.
Rating: 
Summary: A great "Testament" to reading
Review: The Testament is the first Grisham novel that I have read. A family friend recommended it to me because it was a book that would keep you wanting more, a real page-turner. The book starts off with the tenth richest man in America, Troy Phelan, writing his last will and testament. Many psychiatrists are there to make sure Mr. Phelan is of sound mind to be writing this. All goes well and he signs his will. Moments later he takes a flying leap off one floor of his building and lands like a squashed bug on the pavement. His heirs are ecstatic and know that their father has left each of them a hefty sum. Mr. Phelan has a different plan. He leaves most of his estate to an illegitimate child, Rachel Lane, who is living in Brazil. Mr. Phelan's lawyer sends a washed-up alcoholic, Nate O'Riley, to find this Ms. Lane and have her sign the will. Mr. O'Riley goes through many treacherous obstacles, surviving near death experiences and many encounters with the bottle. Grisham really had me laughing and loving the character of Mr. Phelan. He was so smart and outwitted his entire family. I admired his choice to not give most of his estate to his greedy children. All they really cared about was money and could care less about Mr. Phelan. When I finally made it to the end I was so put down by the cop-out ending. I was hoping for some big pomp and circumstance and all I got was a little fizzle. I wish he could have added a little something onto the end. I really enjoyed the book but wish there was more substance to the ending.
Rating:
Summary: The Testament
Review: This was my first Grisham book to read. I knew by reading the first page that I was hooked and unable to put it down. I would highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the time spent reading
Review: This was the first Grisham book I've read and frankly I wasastonished by how immature and sloppy his writing is given his immensepopularity. It seemed there was at least one mixed metaphor or sloppyanalogy per page. For example Grisham writes "Then they spenttwo painful hours wasting the five million..." when what he meansis that they spent two hours discussing how the five million waswasted. I know this is colloquial but it's also sloppy andunacceptable from such an experienced writer. At another point herefers to the "havoc" someone can "sow". I couldgo on and on; he does this kind of thing over and over. This is thekind of writing that gets one a reprimand from a high school englishteacher (which I am not, by the way). I'm just amazed that this guy isas popular as he is when his writing is as bad as it is. On top ofall that I think the plot of this story is ridiculous. Not only is theending very disappointing (as noted elsewhere in these reviews) butthe whole plot is unbelievable. The characters are poorly drawn andblend together. And the writing is flat and monotonous. His style isso labored and his cadence so repetitive. Don't waste yourtime. Find a better writer.
Rating:
Summary: Too many characters and not a good story line
Review: I was very disappointed in this latest novel by Grisham. It just dragged on and you got to the point where you didn't even care who got the money. Although there were many characters he never really built any of them up, you only got bits and pieces of each person. It was a waste of time to read. If you are new to Grisham try his earlier books, The Client, Time to Kill, The Firm, The Pelican Brief because that is when he was at his best.
Rating:
Summary: very interesting plot
Review: I really enjoyed this book - it was my first Grisham and I was skeptical, because I don't like to run to the best sellers as soon as they're out... I wait to hear friends' recommendations. Well, a friend loaned it to me and I drank it before bed every night late into the wee hours until it was done. A very interesting plot, with characters you either admire of despise. Made me consider looking at other Grishams.
Rating:
Summary: Four Stars Relative to Grisham's Other Works
Review: I started reading Grisham when The Firm was on the bestseller lists, and the only reason I haven't stopped is because I've read him for so long that I can't give up now. Fortunately, this book stands out as one of Grisham's better undertakings, not falling into any of his now familiar plot formulas. This book also evokes a non-denominational, though nominally Christian, spirituality that sets it apart from his other novels. Its spirituality succeeds because it accomplishes it without any tenor of preachiness. The one drawback, but one to which every reader of Grisham is well-accustomed, is the let's-wrap-it-up ending that always feels as though Grisham is trying to neatly tie up the ending of a movie so that Hollywood doesn't have to ruin the book for you. The only difference between the ending here compared to some of Grisham's previous efforts is that this one is more believable, if only because there are no that-could-never-happen-type embellishments to tie it all up. Overall, the protagonist and his quarry are nicely multi-faceted, though some of the other characters, namely the heirs and their lawyers, fall into some rather familiar stereotypes.
Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent
Review: Some of Grisham works require a love of the law to really appreciate but this is a down to earth page turner. It is well written and although a stretch on the plot plausibility, very entertaining, inhabited by real life type characters. Definately worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: The Testament
Review: I was Very DISAPPOINTED in this book. I keep reading it hoping it would have a great surprise ending, but nothing. Would not recommond this book at all.
Rating:
Summary: One of Grisham's best
Review: Grisham stayed out of the courtroom for most of this book, and as usual, had a good main character that you could relate with and feel for. One of Grisham's best.
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