The Testament

Rating:
Summary: I hate John Grisham
Review: Standard left-liberal anti-capitalist formulaic rant that proves what behavioral economists are saying about herd behavior. Go read something else.

Rating:
Summary: The Testament
Review: I recently finished reading the The Testament and enjoyed it very much. I found it to be very intriguing and different from Grisham's previous books. He was faithful to his old style of revealing how many in the legal profession operate , but he also unfolded a story which was unique and uplifting in that morals are actually raised to a higher level - too bad the legal profession is so blind to their manipulations and devious ways. They ought to have to sign a lawyer type of Hypocratic Oath to protect the public from their profession and their greedy ways.

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Summary: My Testament
Review: I thought this was an excellent story, as are all of Grisham's tales. It kept me thinking about it when I wasn't able to read it, and very anxious to get back to the story to see where it would go!

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Summary: Grishom doesn't stick his landings well
Review: I agree with the other reviewer who said this book ends badly. It seemed as though the book was finished for a deadline. The build up was great, and I was turning pages very quickly, but the ending was a bit abrupt.

Rating:
Summary: Exquisite little parable
Review: This book proves that a best-seller doesn't have to be mindless. No one's going to confuse Grisham with Dostoevsky, but his readers don't want a story bogging down with too much profundity. He has just the right mix, the best mix of legitimate orthodox Christianity and literature since Walker Percy and Larry Woiwode.

Rating:
Summary: If only 'The Testament' was exactly that...
Review: ... but sadly I'm afraid Grisham (and his team) will go on churning out his particular brand of bland, unadventurous material until we all run out of money to buy it. As for the theme of this particular book - the evils of vast wealth, and how it really isn't THAT important - it seems very odd coming from a writer who, as much as any alive, has put his craft to the service of his bank balance. I got tired of the lecture and gave up well before the end.

Rating:
Summary: Quite disappointing
Review: I've been a Grisham fan ever since I read A Time to Kill. I've read all of his works, and enjoyed many. However, this latest entry into his collection of novels was by far the least enjoyable of anything he's written. His writing style has become incredibly dull, and if I weren't a fan (less of one now) I would not have finished the book. He's gotten away from his style of old, and opted towards a newer, more dull and politically centered style, which I found completely boring. Needless to say, I do not think that I will be purchasing the next Grisham book, since he's declined to a new low with The Testament.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This book has got to be one of Grisham's best books. I loved this book! The whole plot was wonderful and the characters were strong and determined. I loved the setting, being from Brazil myself, and I was surprised at the acuracy of the facts about Brazil and the Pantanal.

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Summary: Another Great Grisham Novel
Review: Another Great Grisham Novel

The Testament was one of the best books I've ever read. Although it was a little slow at some points, it proved to be interesting enough to capture my attention the entire time. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good novel, but especially to Grisham fans. The book begins with Troy Phelan, an eccentric multi-billionaire, announcing to his seven children and four ex-wives that he is going to sign a will. Because he can't stand any of his children or ex-wives, he deceives them, making them think that they will be mentioned in his will. In reality he signs a will giving the money to one heir: an illegitimate child that no one knew about who is living in Brazil. The book continues as Nate O'Reily, one of Phelan's lawyers tries to find this child and get her to sign the will. The best thing about this book is how real the characters become. You really come to hate Mr. Pehlan's children, grandchildren, and ex-wives because of their terrible personalities. You find yourself cheering Nate O'Reily on in his bouts with alcoholism and becoming worried when he is in danger. This is definitely a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Good story, bad ending
Review: I've been reading Grisham for a while now, I have most of his books at home but I can't agree with some other reviews on this pages that this is his best book ever.

I did like the story, good build-up and he keeps you guessing (as usual) what's going to happen. But I do find the actual end a bit disappointing, I missed the kind of 'twist' most of his other books seem to end with...