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Summary: The Testament---Not Just Religion Any More
Review: The author of The Testament is John Grisham. He is a lawyer, which explains why most of his books have to do with crime and punishment. The Testament is no exception to the rule. Greed and selfishness are the most prevalent of the character traits in the book. Tony Phelan, who is a multi-billionaire, changes his last will and testament about as often as most people change clothes. In every will, he gives more to family members who have not upset him recently, and he takes away from those who have caused him grief. Eventually, he lets out the news that he has a brain tumor and is going to die. He drafts a final will and signs it. He is pronounced to be sane by three distinguished psychiatrists. However, after he commits suicide, and the family reads his holographic will, which he drafted on legal paper just minutes before he jumped, they all began to question his sanity. The story then takes a very surprising turn. However, if you wish to find out what that exciting turn is, you will have to read the book.
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Summary: The Testament-- Suspense in the most excruciating form.
Review: The Testamen...now on my all time list.... is the perfect legal red-tape encased thriller while still birthing a simple romance. Because of Troy Phelan's exotic death the book has you at page one..it keeps you marveling at his six selfish children and their scummy spouses. Then you will fall into the Pantanl. Grisham has you running you for Calomine lotion with his intense descriptions of Dengue, the heat of the jungle and the peace of Indigenous villages. Be prepared for the ultimate adventure with a surprise ending!
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Summary: Out of the Courtroom...
Review: ... and into the jungle! Finally, John Grisham takes the action somewhere new and exciting! This book rocks because it appeals to fans of both courtroom dramas and environmental adventures! The best scenes describe a lawyer picking his opponents apart- and you will SO want to see them crack. The good characters are easy to love, and the bad characters are easy to hate. This book will also get you thinking about what you'd do with $50 million- lots of fun dreaming there! The only disappointment (as usual) is that Grisham hasn't created a challenging read at all (even for a sixteen year old). I would love to see him create a REAL work of literature in the future that is much more challenging and complex than most of his other books. Rather than hold my breath, however, I'll just re-read this book!
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Summary: The Testament---What I Really Think
Review: The author of The Testament is John Grisham. He is an author who lives with his wife and kids in Virginia and Mississippi. He is a lawyer, which explains why most of his books have to do with crime and punishment. The Testament is no exception to the rule. Greed and selfishness are the majority of the character traits in the book. Tony Phelan, who is a multi-billionaire, changes his last will and testament about as often as most people change clothes. In every will, he gives more to family members who have not upset him recently, and he takes away from those who have caused him grief. Eventually, he lets out the news that he has a brain tumor and is going to die. He drafts a final will and signs it. He is pronounced to be sane by three distinguished psychiatrists. However, after he commits suicide, and the family reads his holographic will, which he drafted on legal paper just minutes before he jumped, they all began to question his sanity. The story then takes a very surprising turn. However, if you wish to find out what that exciting turn is, you will have to read the book.
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Summary: Not your everyday Grisham
Review: "Testament" entertained me, however, it wasn't what I'm used to from Grisham. By the time I finished the book, I realized I didn't think much had really taken place, although it had. "Testament" moves at a languorous pace, so it would be a good read while on vacation. If you'd like to see a new side of Grisham, try this book. A large portion of the book is set in The Pantanl jungle of South America, and I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the protagonist's adventures there. The protagonist himself is a sad and pitiful character, but he is also believeable and human. He is not so pitiful as to be uninteresting, and the relationships he forges with acquaintances in South America are realistic--they *feel* right. My reason for giving the book three stars is that the book didn't keep me riveted. Yes, I did like it, but I took about a month to finish the book.
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Summary: Grisham does it again.
Review: Don't listen to the cynics. This is another great book from Grisham. Even though I consider 'The Partner' and 'The Firm' to be his better works, this one got plenty of Grisham's talent. I read it on my way to and from work; made my commute a lot more interesting -- and shorter. dzorin@hotmail.com ================================== To the editor: if possible, please include my email as part of my review.
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Summary: Good wins again
Review: This was my first John Grisham book. It won't be my last! The book is very compeling - I was sooo mad at these spoiled turkeys. I was rewarded for staying to the end.
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Summary: Grisham goes to Brazil
Review: The Testament follows Grisham's usual archetype. The book offers the usual characters: lawyers at a big law firm, wealthy clients, and is set mainly in Washington DC. This aside, the book has some redeeming qualities. In many ways is more a look at human nature. Different characters want to protect their different interests, and all of the viewpoints are explored, from the rich to the poorer to the Christian outlook. Nate, the main character, goes on a "wild" adventure in the Patanal, the most ecologically-rich region in the world. The fact that almost half of the novel is set in Brasil is wonderful. Too few books include settings outside the United States. The description of the Patanal leaves a bit to be desired, because it comes across as a swampy rainforest that is extremely dangerous. In some ways that is true, but the Patanal is full of ecodiversity that the book cannot capture. However, for the purpose of the book, it is easy to tell that Grisham has real life experience in the region. He is thus connected to the book geographically. He connects Nate's life to the adventure through the Patanal, which gives the book a more literary feel. Overall, this book reaches beyond Grisham's other novels and places the reader into the 11 billion dollar dispute while simultaneously exploring a fascinating site in Latin America. It is a quick read that will keep the reader's attention.
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Summary: Greed Goes Center Stage
Review: Grisham's basic premise, though not particularly imaginative, is more than effective. The first few chapters of this novel grabbed me and refused to let go. The selfish greed portrayed by the spoiled children of the deceased had me hoping for justice; the contrasting selflessness portrayed by the long-lost daughter had me cheering for the ideals and ethics of her missionary lifestyle. Grisham juggles his subplots so efficiently that I was never afraid something would be dropped. If anything, he puts on such a splendid show in the first half of the book, that he was hard-pressed to follow his own act in the second half. I appreciated his sensitive and faithful rendering of the missionary's viewpoints, preaching against the greed of our age without, uh, well...preaching at us. That's a 'testament' to Grisham's true talent: moralizing while entertaining. What a juggler!
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Summary: Controversial themes
Review: Grisham's latest. An enjoyable, fast read. The story of a wealthy, self-made man whose assets must be distributed to his heirs. The man changes his will at the last minute leaving his legitimate heirs next to nothing. Instead he leaves almost everything to his unknown, illegitimate daughter working as a remote missionary in Brazil. I was impressed with Grisham's willingness to develop thought and dialogue around the topics of religious faith and alcohol abuse. It was an earnest attempt to explore two unlikely components of a best seller. I give him high marks for using his skill and characters to openly discuss the sensitive subjects.
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