The Testament

Rating:
Summary: Leisurely and entertaining,with many loose threads
Review: The plot of the Testament is that a billionaire dies leaving his fortune to an illegitimate daughter, who is a missionary in Brazil. A recovering alcoholic lawyer is sent to contact her. After he returns (without her), he defends her rights in a courtroom battle against other potential heirs. After succeeding, he unsuccessful tries to find the daughter a second time. If that sounds like a luke-warm plot,it is. The Testament is much more leisurely than most other Grisham novels-much of it is a travel-log. But it is entertaining and worthwhile. Nearly all Grisham novels are invariably subtly unsatisfying in retrospect, usually because of very serious basic defects in the plots. In the Testament, the are no major plot defects (because there isn't a strong plot), but minor plot defects are pervasive. I get the impression that Grisham wrote the novel without an outline-not even a mental outline. In other words, the author didn't know what was going to happen until after writing it. The result is multiple plot threads which lack resolution-leaving the reader hanging. While this may work fine for some who-done-its, or for some other authors, it harms Grisham's writing. Particularly unsatisfying is Grisham's trademark courtroom fireworks. The fireworks are marvelous, but readers are given no basis for the lawyer's (Nate) surprise information or even suspicions. I heard the unabridged Bantam audio-cassette version, which is a superb performance. However, the tapes are 100 minutes or longer. The instructions for my Sony portable cassette player remonstrate that tapes longer than 90 minutes are likely to jam and permanently damage the machine----which was indeed my unfortunate experience.

Rating:
Summary: Grisham has returned to respectable writing
Review: Grisham has published a series of so-so novel since his early works. "The Testament" was nearer his entertaining style than the tremendously uninteresting "Street Lawyer". We'll see if he can keep it going...

Rating:
Summary: Best I have ever read!!!
Review: I am only half way through the book because I can only read it between working hours, but I can not wait to get started again. Everyone is selling it too short. It is a book that will keep you turning the page (there are not many that keep my attention). A "must read" book!

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling plot, meaningful theme parents relate with.
Review: After reading The Testament, I wanted Mr. Grisham to consider writing a sequal. Continue with Nate's career as a trustee, have him travel and learn the good about missionary work, and find the corrupt counterpart in it. Nate needs to contine his clean living, carpentry, and move on with more adventure.Let those kids of his seek counseling. Okay,Mr. Grisham, go for The Testament, Part II. You helped society relate to value of money, today's values, Christianity, costly lawyers, and addiction.

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BOOK!!!!!!
Review: GRISHAM HAS DONE IT AGAIN. THIS BOOK HAS A DIFFERENT TWIST TO IT, BUT IT IS EQUAL TO HIS OTHERS. VERY ENTERTAINING. I AM ALREADY LOOKING FOWARD TO HIS NEXT BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: A New Favorite Read!
Review: My neighbor ran over with her just finished copy of The Testament. I couldn't put this book down. I came to Amazon.com to buy my own copy for loaning out. The Testament touched me deeply because Grisham has always written to entertain. In The Testament, he shares his heart & soul with his readers, a privilege that is well earned. Also appreciated that people of faith were respectfully treated in the hands of a secular author. If you are on a journey of faith, The Testament may inspire you to continue. If you are sure of your faith, you will want to own a copy. Better than the "Christian" fiction selections, but not overbearing.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, intriguing, and very witty humor--EXCELLENT!
Review: A very refreshing piece of literature. Grisham's portrayal of Rachel Lane is a rare look at a person of faith without the typical mockery and degradation that is so often incorporated with such characters. Well done Mr. Grisham!

Rating:
Summary: Not one of his best!
Review: I've always enjoyed John's books but this one definitely falls short. In fact I wasnt even half way through I quit reading. I can't remember the last book I didn't finished,even if it was bad! This one was too slow,boring and repetitive.

Rating:
Summary: John Grisham has done so much better in the past.
Review: Really slow start. Good story, but more could have been done to keep readers glued to the pages.

Rating:
Summary: My first Grisham experience was not a disappointment
Review: I simply loved this novel. I had never read Grisham before, but now I believe his books will make their way into my library. The plot was great and the characters unforgettable. I don't want to say too much or I'll give away the story, but I wanted to send my congratulations to John Grisham for writing a story with Christian values and principles in it. People will not like him for this. Some of you reading this review are thinking that you will never read one of his books again. Well, Mr. Grisham, you may suffer here on earth, but your reward is great in Heaven. Keep up the good work.