Rating: 
Summary: What has happened to the John Grisham I knew?
Review: Not even close to his other books. What a disappointment. It looks like John has fallen into the trap of pumping out books in record time (probably due in part to his contract with the publisher) and resting on past laurels to sell them. Thank heaven I borrowed this one. It's a shame to forsake one's principles and talent for the almighty buck. Please John, give us some of the mystery, intrigue, and intellectualism of your earlier work.
Rating:
Summary: Very Dull
Review: Boring, Boring, Boring! It was all I could do to finish this book. The first couple of chapters are really good, but it goes downhill from there. It's all too predictable
Rating: 
Summary: Don't know if I'll come back to Gresham
Review: This is the first John Grisham novel I have read. And although I thought I would enjoy him--I saw and liked the movie with Tom Cruise in it, the title of which I forget--in the end, I didn't. It is hard for me to figure out why he has been so obviously popular. I was disappointed from the first page. Character development of the cartoon-like figures (particularly Nate) was non-existent. A skeletal plot--plots, actually--and far too simple a writing style made me wish always for more. Also, it seems that if Grisham had the intimate knowledge of many other things that he displays about the legal profession, the reader's interest level would be continually higher. Since this is my first Gresham, I'm guessing that he relies on form (in this case, having two unembellished, fast-moving, and simultaneous plots) rather than content to achieve whatever success he has had. I may give one of his other books a try, but judging by this one, he seems to be a weak writer, not the match of Hailey or Crichton.
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Summary: Thoroughly Predictable!
Review: Neat opening and a concept he could have done wonders with! But alas after the first 50 pages, the book just loses all its substance. It then becomes an extremely predictable narrative of what's already on the back cover. More like reading a bloated version of a newspaper article! You really don't miss anything if you skip through the 200 odd pages in the Brazilian forest. Certainly *not* the riveting page turner, some reviewers claim it to be. Way below Grisham's caliber. In fact, its not even in his class!
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Summary: Pure Pabulum
Review: It amazes me that Grisham's books keep selling on the top of the charts when he continues to crank out such incipid trash. His first few books were great, but its time for Grisham to retire. The Testament begins with an interesting proposition -- a good "hook" -- but look forward to baby food all the way to the end. The only reason I finished this book: I was on a transcontinental flight with nothing else to do ... and I left the book for the plane cleanup crew.
Rating: 
Summary: A great fast reading book
Review: The Testament is the first Grisham book I've read. I found it to be a good book to look forward to at the end of the day. However, I ended up not being able to put it down to go to sleep. Thank goodness the pages just flew by. It was a great book, I only wish the ending to be a little different. Maybe Nate would talk Rachel into coming back to the states, Nate & Phil would finish the basement so Rachel could teach Sunday school there, Nate & Rachel would get married. Yeh, maybe predictable, but I like happy endings.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I was delighted with this book! I had read the reviews inwhich people either loved or hated it. I found this book to beexciting from start to finish. I loved the characters...his "bad guys" really are sleezy in a humorous way, and his "good guys," though not perfect, are easy to like and worth rooting for. After finishing the book in a day and a half I began loaning it out to friends. This was my first Grisham book but I've since read more. Although I have liked the other books of his, they don't come close to how wonderful this one is.
Rating:
Summary: HIS BEST IN A WHILE
Review: FUN, SOMEWHAT PREDICTABLE, BUT VERY ENJOYABLE
Rating:
Summary: Lukewarm
Review: For me, John Grisham runs hot or cold. Testament is "Lukewarm". I did not find the behavior or character of the "heirs" to be believeable. A disappointment after "The Street Lawyer" which I loved.
Rating:
Summary: Descriptive Page Turner With Unusual Charactor
Review: I liked this book about greed, manipulation, serenity and redemption. Grisham's first chapter sucks the reader into the story like few beginnings I have encountered. The first person perspective of a bitter and lonely billionaire who plots his revenge on his children even as he has plotted his own death is riviting. When the story moves to inland Brazil, Grisham's narrative excels at explaining a remote yet beautiful land that few are aware exists. His characters likewise are well developed and beleivable in their roles. His portrayal of the several amoral lawyers borders on the hilarious and will serve to confirm many people's stereotypes of members of the bar. What separates this novel from othe works of Grisham is the presence of God in the life of several of the characters. Religion is a positive influence on those it touches in the story and serves as the fulcrum upon which the plot turns. This is the first fiction book I can recall reading where the strong faith of several major characters is treated as a positive defining aspect of their lives. In my experience, when I have encountered religion at all in fiction, it usually is presented as a character defect or held up to demonstrate the hypocrisy of those who do not practice what they preach. Grisham's treatment of faith as a central aspect of character and motivational force is refreshing and much more representative of how it affects most religious people. I read the book quickly over several days. Great opening, well developed and interesting characters, enough greed and money on the line to titilate and a good juxtaposition of faith and redemption. A winner.
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