Rating: 
Summary: Bang, Splat, Fizzle
Review: This was a story that started out with a bang, but ended in with a fizzle. Grisham does a masterful job writting original suspense when he trys. The first 100 pages are some of his best work. The rest seem like Grisham was tired and bored. The ending is fair, especially since it is not the typically Hollywood conclusion. However, Grisham leaves us wanting more courtroom with Nate, stronger battles with the heirs, and a quicker pace throughout. (It would have been nice to see the heirs having to actually battle for the $50 million they received.)Weaving cultural, political, and religious messages throughout this book was well done. It didn't come across as preachy. However, if Grisham would have spent as much effort writting the story as he spent on the "humanity" messages, The Testament would have been worthy of 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Very boring and pointless.
Review: I have read and re-read many of John Grisham's books, I love the fast pace and the wonderful characters in his previous books, but 'The Testament' was a big disappointment. No pace, no chase, no suspense, no interesting courtroom legalities, no interesting characters. Just floating in a boat in the jungle.
Rating: 
Summary: a powerful and meaningful story of family, greed and trust
Review: first of all i love all of john grisham's novels...i read all of them except 3...but i actually couldnt put this book down because it had me wondering what would happen next....is rachel going to take the money or is she going to let her greedy siblings take it and just do what they always do when they get money....and is nate going to just flee and hide in the corner and drink his life away...it had so many interesting turnarounds that i was wanting more information about the characters...i practically took the book everywhere i went...this is a must read to those who think money is everything and forget the true meaning of being happy with what you already have *S*...i gurantee that it will change your heart, mind and soul when you read the testament*S
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing after a great beginning
Review: This book is not up to Mr Grisham's usual high standard. It gets bogged down in irrelevant details about a particularly unpleasant family on the one hand and geographical descriptions that are not Mr Grisham's forte.
Rating:
Summary: Ingenius....
Review: John Grisham has really succeeded in capturing my attention with this exciting book of legalities, redemption and the greed of an entire family. The Phelan heirs are a group of people you can either extremely hate or have merciless pity upon. Rachel's dedication to her love of the Lord is inspiring. I loved this book and I recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting story.
Rating: 
Summary: Great many meanings
Review: Grisham does another great job. His story line of one who dies and leaves his will to an unknown heir is amazing. Grisham's in depth description of the lead characters journey through the rain forest was amazing. I think that he had messages that he wanted to convey in the story. Faith, religion, and consiousness of our world and our environment.
Rating:
Summary: Sophomoric
Review: Exceedingly thin plot containing exceedingly thin characters, and a writing style that would shame a community college english student. Grisham had better go back to practicing law - maybe it will give him some fresh insights.
Rating:
Summary: I'll read more Grisham!
Review: I enjoyed Grisham's book. It was the first book of his I read. It drew me in with a greedy need to find out the dirty details of how decadent wealthy people think and live. Once hooked he pulled me into an insatiable desire, or maybe addictive craving to explore the life of a pitiful and defeated lawyer. Then with nothing left to lose he took me into the unfamiliar territory of South America and without the protection of creature comforts left me with my own thoughts to the meaning of life. There Grisham introduces me to a character of courage and a strength that can only survive with a faith in God. Alone the story would end but with the grace God we see hope. God gives a new life a beginning and makes sense in a world of double standards. The only thing left to do it take your time float down a river in a place where time slows and you have nothing to do but enjoy the scenery.
Rating:
Summary: No characters worth caring about
Review: Troy Phelan's plot to get his last testament executed the way he wanted it was mildly interesting, but there were hundreds of pages left after that. No suspense thriller, this. I've read all the reviews and have to wonder: Many of the 5-star raves sound like they were written by Grisham's publicist or publishing house. I'd advise readers to take these online reviews with a grain of salt. I loaned my copy of The Testament to other Grisham fans, all of whom were 1) disappointed and 2) relieved they hadn't bought it.
Rating:
Summary: Lost in the Jungle
Review: I couldn't wait to read the latest Grisham - the premise of this book had so much to offer; the signing and witnessing of a billionaire's will by his money hungry family just waiting to devour the spoils; and then the last second signing of a new will and testament immediately prior to his suicide. Most of what followed were tedious journeys into the jungle to locate an heir and that's where I was turned off. Too much time spent in the Pantanal. I would have preferred and expected more development of the family characters and their predicaments of frivolous spending and the legal battle for "their" money. Then again this would not have made for the suspense Grisham was seeking nor for the lawyer Nate whose derelict life had him left him washed up - no courtroom scenes for him. The religous aspect was something I wouldn't expect to find in a novel of this genre but I respect Grisham for including it. It provided the closure for Nate and his slow but steady rehabilitation. He was at peace with himself unlike the other relatives. The Testament, however, does not compare to many of his earlier works which were worthy of 5 stars!.
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