The Testament

Rating:
Summary: I throughly enjoyed this book!
Review: This story is (I think) quite a change from Grisham's other books, but nonetheless completely absorbing. An attorney who has been in and out of rehab for alcohol and drug abuse is sent to a remote area somewhere in Brazil to locate a young woman working as a missionary with an indian tribe, who has just become the sole beneficiary of a multi-billion dollar estate. In the process, the attorney faces many dangers and his own mortality, eventually coming to grips with his life and his problems, probably for the first time. He comes back to civilization a totally changed man. Grisham's treatment of the subject of Christianity and committing one's life for God's service is honest and sincere, and thought-provoking. I finished this book feeling tremendously satisfied.

Rating:
Summary: Dull and slow movng
Review: I have to say that I'm very disappointed with this book, it moved much to slow and I just didn't enjoy it like I have the rest of John's books. I'm anxiously awaiting John's next novel and hope it is better than this one was.

Rating:
Summary: Rather dry...
Review: This book started with a lot of promise, and then went down hill from there. I kept expecting something good to happen but was sorely disappointed. The only reason I finished it is because it was in audio version which meant I didn't have to force myself to turn a page. Better luck next time...

Rating:
Summary: A big disappointment.
Review: I ignored a negative customer review of this book when I should have paid attention. I stayed up half the night to finish the book--only to be done with it, not because it was that interesting. A big disappointment coming from John Grisham. The characters were boring, the plot was not believable by any stretch of the imagination. I found it a waste of my money and time. All Grisham's previous books, with the possible exception of THE PELICAN BRIEF, were fascinating, very readable. This one was just too far fetched. Perhaps the author needs a vacation. He's too good a writer for this book.

Rating:
Summary: THANKS JOHN.
Review: Grisham's portfolio of greedy heirs and far away, South American, travels was legendary. This piece was clearly visionary. The Testament brought an ancient lust, in the love of money, to view... The ultimate picture, love for one another triumphed... The inward journey of finite man realizing there is something more fulfilling in life than self-pleasure... MAGNIFICENT!! This was a refreshing piece which unmasks Grisham's work as extreme artistic beauty.

Rating:
Summary: Grisham better watch out, this is two in a row.
Review: I was disappointed with The Testament. It would have been an acceptable "Just out of the box" for a new author, but Grisham has given us intelligent situations and adventure. He better watch out because if his next is nothing but a rush to get a book out for $$, he'll loose most of us. The author to read is David Baldacci. He has already surpassed Grisham and he is consistently intelligent and full of original material.

Rating:
Summary: A true page turner
Review: I couldn't put it down; opened it on a Thurs. night and closed it Sun. When I wasn't reading it, I found myself pre-occupied wanting to get back to the book. Although fictional, the portrayal of the characters could very well have been true.

Rating:
Summary: Good but far from Grisham's best
Review: I had high hopes starting out with The Testament. I had read some excellent reviews on it and hoped that Grisham was perhaps finally getting back to the superior books he wrote in the first half of the nineties. This is far from that. It is good. It's just far from the caliber of The Firm, The Pelican Brief, or my personal favorites: A Time to Kill and The Runaway Jury. The story tends to lag in places, and Rachel's character isn't developed enough. Overall, though, the book was a satisfying read. I just wish he could somehow capture what he had in the early nineties. Being a Christian, I did appreciate the subplot of spiritual renewal.

Rating:
Summary: Unfortunately, I was able to put it down.
Review: I enjoy Grishman's style and have enjoyed reading all his works. I usually find myself speeding through wanting to absorb it as quickly as possible. Although The Testament is a plesant read, one can put it down and get back at ones convenience. Not my idea a a great book.

Rating:
Summary: A step back in the right direction, worth the time
Review: This is definately better than Grisham's last effort, The Street Lawyer, but not as good as his first three. While some have said they don't like the ending, I think it was very good. Unpredictable to say the least! I did enjoy his use of the characters to explore their faith in God and to show how some people in today's society might be able to find their way again. When everything else had failed to work for Nate, at least Grisham showed how God could work for him. My only complaint about the book was it's pacing. At times you felt that there was a sense of urgency to the events unfolding. But at other times, time was of no importance whatsoever. If you like Grisham, and I do, then you'll enjoy this book.