08.10.2006 The Testament By John Grisham Thriller (c) 1999 533 pages

This is yet another book that I picked out of the condo bookshelf while I was at the beach. I had brought a lot of my own books, but I figured since I had never read a John Grisham novel and I wouldn't have another chance like this, I picked it up.

The book starts out with Tony Phelan, a dying man who rewrites his $11 billion will to shut out his former wives and children in favor of a sole unknown heir, Rachel Lane. Nate O'Reily is entrusted with the job of finding Rachel, a search that takes him into a remote area of South America known as the Pantanal, where she does missionary work. All the while, the Phelan children are fighting to get their father's fortune back.

The book started out great. The suspense up until Phelan brought out his new will, plus the shock of what occurred afterwards were well done. Also, despite knowing exactly what's going to happen, you can't wait to hear the new will read to the Phelan successors. However, the book can't keep up that momentum as Nate begins his long journey into the jungle. And I found the back of the book a bit misleading. Supposedly, Rachel "holds a stunning surprise of her own" which I thought was a given from the beginning. (Spoiler alert (kind of): she doesn't want the money.) No one who cares about money, or any material possession for that matter, lives a single life in the Brazilian jungle teaching the Bible to Indians. So for the longest time I was waiting for a surprise that wasn't there. That's not to say that the book didn't have its merits or wasn't enjoyable, and I doubt Grisham wrote the back of the book summary, but that specifically was a letdown.

3.5/5 STARS

FAVORITE AMAZON REVIEW by Wayne A. Smith
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. (Webmaster's Note: I agree that a positive treatment of religious people is rare in contemporary fiction, but on the other hand religiosity in contemporary life is very often a character defect.)
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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