Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth...
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Sep 29, 2007
Donna
rated it: 
What I learned from this book:
1) Everyone should have a fully executed will.
2) A poorly written Will is bad estate planning.
3) If you have lots of money and hate your family, make them think you are giving them $11 billion and then swap the Will that gives them nothing, and then jump off a building plunging to your death so that they can't do anything but settle with the estate.
This is my first Grisham book. And many more to come, I am sure!
1) Everyone should have a fully executed will.
2) A poorly written Will is bad estate planning.
3) If you have lots of money and hate your family, make them think you are giving them $11 billion and then swap the Will that gives them nothing, and then jump off a building plunging to your death so that they can't do anything but settle with the estate.
This is my first Grisham book. And many more to come, I am sure!
Mar 08, 2008
sarafem
rated it: 
An overly preachy and hastily written Grisham novel with his typical battle of big money versus the good of heart. I am always drawn to Grisham for a good rainy day read and the premise sounded pretty good, but from page one this one is a waste of time. Too many characters bogged the story down and it dragged on and on, especially when Grisham started getting preachy. By the end of the book, it felt like Grisham had tired of the story himself, and just threw something together to be done with it
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Nov 11, 2008
Shana
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I am reading The Testament, by John Grisham.It's about a man named Nate who is put in charge of finding the illigitament daughter of a billionaire.She's a missionary to a remote jungle and is, as far as he knows, unreachable.So he sets out on a journey with vivid characters and challenging situations.Jevy the body guard and Milton the pilot befriend him and try to help him on his journey.I love this book.I can't stop reading because Grisham describes Nate's trials with such col More...
I am reading The Testament, by John Grisham.It's about a man named Nate who is put in charge of finding the illigitament daughter of a billionaire.She's a missionary to a remote jungle and is, as far as he knows, unreachable.So he sets out on a journey with vivid characters and challenging situations.Jevy the body guard and Milton the pilot befriend him and try to help him on his journey.I love this book.I can't stop reading because Grisham describes Nate's trials with such col More...
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Apr 27, 2007
I learned it's more important to forget the materialism of this world and be self-less for Christ like the heroine of this book was, than to get caught up in making a name for myself in my short time on earth. I forget the amount of family fortune she'd inherited, but she was so lost in her love for Christ that she was oblivious to the inheritance itself until a lawyer tracked her down from U.S to the Amazon to tell her/award her the inheritance. Her other-worldness was in stark contrast to the
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Dec 17, 2009
Lindsey
rated it: 
A rich old man dies, and his awful children are clamoring for the will that will reveal how much they get. They are horrified to find out all has been left to a hereto-unknown sibling Rachel, who is living as a missionary South America. The rich old man's lawyer now has to travel through the jungle to find her and explain to her that she is now worth millions.
A little bit different Grisham novel, as most of the action takes place in South America. I kind of enjoyed this different More...
A little bit different Grisham novel, as most of the action takes place in South America. I kind of enjoyed this different More...
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Jan 19, 2009
Amy
rated it: 
A surprisingly entertaining novel from John Grisham - while still sticking to his legal routes, this novel takes place primarily in Africa, as a troubled partner from a DC firm tries to execute the last will and testament of a cruel yet brilliant business man who intentionally left out his extensive crazy family from his inheritance. A quick, enjoyable read that will leave you wondering what you would have done in the position of both the dying business man and the spiritual doctor living an im
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Feb 05, 2012
Joe
rated it:
Not particularly one of Grisham's best, The Testament nonetheless moves quickly and is a pleasant-enough read.
A wealthy business dies and leaves his huge estate not to his "legitimate" children -- most of whom he never liked, and could be largely described as "spoiled" -- and instead leaves it all to an out-of-wedlock child that was never known to the rest of the family. Odd enough by itself, this situation is made even stranger by the fact that the heir has been a More...
A wealthy business dies and leaves his huge estate not to his "legitimate" children -- most of whom he never liked, and could be largely described as "spoiled" -- and instead leaves it all to an out-of-wedlock child that was never known to the rest of the family. Odd enough by itself, this situation is made even stranger by the fact that the heir has been a More...
Feb 01, 2012
Jane
rated it:
Not much suspense, but a good story with unique and interesting characters.
STORY BRIEF:
Eccentric billionaire leaves all his money to an illegitimate child Rachel no one knew about. His six grandchildren are greedy idiots who hire attorneys to contest the will. Josh is executor of the will. He needs someone to go to the jungles of Brazil to find Rachel who is working with tribes as a Christian missionary. Josh asks Nate to go. Nate was a high-powered litigator who has been More...
STORY BRIEF:
Eccentric billionaire leaves all his money to an illegitimate child Rachel no one knew about. His six grandchildren are greedy idiots who hire attorneys to contest the will. Josh is executor of the will. He needs someone to go to the jungles of Brazil to find Rachel who is working with tribes as a Christian missionary. Josh asks Nate to go. Nate was a high-powered litigator who has been More...
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Nov 11, 2011
J
rated it:
Years ago--when it was first released, I believe--I bought the small, paperback version of this book, read some of it with interest, then stopped reading it and gave it away.
Now, years later, having seen it in large print version, I picked it up.
Again, because I compared this book to David Baldacci's legal thrillers, my critique may be a bit harsh. But readers will find it interesting, perhaps enjoyable, to read about Tony Phelan's idiot children and how they squandered t More...
Now, years later, having seen it in large print version, I picked it up.
Again, because I compared this book to David Baldacci's legal thrillers, my critique may be a bit harsh. But readers will find it interesting, perhaps enjoyable, to read about Tony Phelan's idiot children and how they squandered t More...
Aug 03, 2011
James
rated it:
Though different from many of his other books, I think The Testament goes down as one of my Grisham favorites. Troy Phelan, a self-made billionaire, jumps to a spectacular death after signing a will leaving his fortune to an unknown daughter, Rachel Lane, and spurning his six other children by three failed marriages, all of whom are circling like vultures waiting for their lucky day to finally arrive. The wrinkle is that Rachel is a missionary in a remote part of Brazil, and is totally out of to
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Jun 09, 2011
While everyone has heard stories about the reading of wills, few novels have ever focused on the meaning of the word "testament." This word is pivotal to the story since what Troy Phelan testifies to in the will unleashes secrets, exposing his heirs for what they really are --- both good and evil.
Grisham always teaches me one legal term I never knew or explains a process which I found rather vague. In this book, it is the holographic will --- a document wholly in the hand More...
Grisham always teaches me one legal term I never knew or explains a process which I found rather vague. In this book, it is the holographic will --- a document wholly in the hand More...
Apr 03, 2011
Trudee
rated it:
Another absorbing novel by one of my favourite authors.
Troy Phelan faced his mortality with a body barely functioning but with a mind as sharp as a tack (supposedly.)The problem of how to bequeath his vast wealth to a family, (who Troy believed) were undeserving, greedy, argumentative and as emotionally distant as could be,......needed to be addressed and quickly. His familial investments over the years were sparse, preferring to spend his energies draining all of life's luxuries to their More...
Troy Phelan faced his mortality with a body barely functioning but with a mind as sharp as a tack (supposedly.)The problem of how to bequeath his vast wealth to a family, (who Troy believed) were undeserving, greedy, argumentative and as emotionally distant as could be,......needed to be addressed and quickly. His familial investments over the years were sparse, preferring to spend his energies draining all of life's luxuries to their More...
Feb 15, 2011
Ash
rated it:
I'm going to write a review. I'm going to do it. Why? Personal reasons.
*ahem*
first of all, I feel like John Grisham tries too hard to make this book seem action packed and suspenseful, when really, it's very predictable, cliche and slow moving. You always know what's coming. I found myself only reading one chapter, then putting it down. Then coming back hours later, reading another chapter maybe two, then putting it down again, etc. It didn't hold much interest. The only reason I r More...
*ahem*
first of all, I feel like John Grisham tries too hard to make this book seem action packed and suspenseful, when really, it's very predictable, cliche and slow moving. You always know what's coming. I found myself only reading one chapter, then putting it down. Then coming back hours later, reading another chapter maybe two, then putting it down again, etc. It didn't hold much interest. The only reason I r More...
May 03, 2010
Rachayl
rated it:
Brief summary: One of the richest men in the world writes his idiot descendents out of his will and leaves everything to Rachel, an illegitimate daughter no one knew about, a missionary somewhere in South America. Mainly, the book is about the emotional journey of Nate the Lawyer, fresh from rehab, who has to search for Rachel in the jungle. While Nate rides a slow boat through a swamp, the idiot descendents and their lawyers run about in a frenzy to contest the will.
Why I liked this book: More...
Why I liked this book: More...
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Jan 08, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
It has been YEARS since I've read John Grisham. To my recollection, I haven't disliked a single book of his that I've read. This one is equally fascinating to me because of one of the settings: the Pantanal in Brazil. Though I have Brazilian blood and have traveled there since I was a baby, I've never ventured to the Panatanal (and I'm not sure that I want to!), but it's interesting to read about the setting. Again, I don't know how accurate the portrayal of the Panatanal is (and Grisham admits
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Jun 27, 2009
JBradford
rated it:
The Testament, by John Grisham
Grisham is always good, and he has a marvelous way of weaving an intricate plot. This one begins when an aging, irascible multibillionaire, Troy Phelan, decides to bedevil his three ex-wives and six children one last time; he sets up a situation whereby he will be examined by psychiatrists selected by them to establish that he is of sound mind, after which he publically and on camera signs the attorney-created will that gives them each a billion or so … and t More...
Grisham is always good, and he has a marvelous way of weaving an intricate plot. This one begins when an aging, irascible multibillionaire, Troy Phelan, decides to bedevil his three ex-wives and six children one last time; he sets up a situation whereby he will be examined by psychiatrists selected by them to establish that he is of sound mind, after which he publically and on camera signs the attorney-created will that gives them each a billion or so … and t More...
Jun 18, 2009
Marky
rated it:
This book has been an adventure for me. From the start, being in the mind of Troy Phelan, an old man whose death is just hours away. He was a billionaire who was writing his last testament. His entire family was in his estate waiting for the will, expecting to become millionaires. What they didn't know was that they weren't getting a cent from the will. Troy leaves his entire estate to an unknown daughter named Rachael lane. Then he jumps off the building. In my opinion, Troy did the right
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Feb 08, 2011
Tracy
rated it:
Ever watch a game show like Who Wants to be a Millionaire and the contestant gets to the last question and a big smile covers their face because the answer is something they have just read or heard? Well, while in the process of reading The Testament I dreamed I was that contestant and the question centered around the Pantanol, situated in Corumba, Brazil…but I digress.
The Testament was typical John Grisham. It was enjoyable, informative, and entertaining. Troy Phelan is an aging More...
The Testament was typical John Grisham. It was enjoyable, informative, and entertaining. Troy Phelan is an aging More...
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Sep 16, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I confess that I enjoy John Grisham novels--they are generally easy to read, have realistic characters, and have a good plot. This one fell into that category for me, also. Not great literature, but fine for a quiet September afternoon. Despite the title of the book, I was surprised by the heavy Christian theme that ran through the book, but it was mostly believable and relevant to the plot.
One thing bothered me throughout, however, and in the end cast a shadow over the book for me, More...
One thing bothered me throughout, however, and in the end cast a shadow over the book for me, More...
Feb 08, 2011
Nate
rated it:
Not my favorite Grisham book, but i liked the more modern edge. Again, another unique perspective on the world. Several in this one actually. I started once, and couldn't get into it, but just after i discovered my infatuation with John Grisham, this one was quickly on the top of my "to be read" pile. I wouldn't tell anyone who hasn't read Grisham to start with this one, but it should be included.
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Jan 06, 2010
Positron76
rated it:
The Testament details the story of how a wealthy conglomerateur surprisingly allocates his estate in a last minute will before his death. Shocked by his actions and consumed by greed, his estranged family fight relentlessly to recieve a larger portion of the wealth. It also tells the story of a lawyer whith a wreckless and brazen past who is given the job to find a missionary deep in the heart of Brazil.
I thought greed, and how it permeates society was the common theme throughout More...
I thought greed, and how it permeates society was the common theme throughout More...
Jul 13, 2010
Karen
rated it:
Well, I always enjoy a John Grisham novel. This one was written in 1999, and I guess I missed it back then. I'm giving this book a high rating because for the type of book it is for me, which is a "just fun reading" book, it was really good. I actually couldn't put it down sometimes and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen.
This sounds like a "spoiler", but it isn't, because it all happens in the first chapter (which really got me hooked): a man w More...
This sounds like a "spoiler", but it isn't, because it all happens in the first chapter (which really got me hooked): a man w More...
Aug 09, 2011
Danielle
rated it:
I started reading this during a babysitting job and had to get to the library so I could get it for myself and find out what happened. I was pulled in by the early chapters, which depict a man at the end of his life who wants to keep his enormous estate from falling into the hands of his greedy, bickering children and ex-wives. To everyone's surprise, he leaves everything to an unknown, illegitimate heir, a missionary in the remote jungles of South America, and one lawyer is given the task of fi
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Jul 20, 2011
Emily
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 29, 2011
Uncle Dave
rated it:
John Grisham is certainly the author of the best books on the shelves today.
I just finished the Testament, and had a very satisfactory feeling when I read the last page. He has a way of getting the reader immediately involved in the opening pages, engrossed in the way the plot unfolds and twists, and then, like a good coffee and dessert, a pleasurable feeling at how it wraps up.
The characters are terrific. The middle age attorney struggling with addiction and self More...
I just finished the Testament, and had a very satisfactory feeling when I read the last page. He has a way of getting the reader immediately involved in the opening pages, engrossed in the way the plot unfolds and twists, and then, like a good coffee and dessert, a pleasurable feeling at how it wraps up.
The characters are terrific. The middle age attorney struggling with addiction and self More...
Aug 10, 2010
Becca
rated it:
I read this on vacation because it was the best choice in the lending library at our resort. It was entertaining, and had several scenes where I actually laughed out loud at the thoughts and actions of the lawyers and characters in the book.
This book was different than other Grisham books I've read in that it wasn't a thriller. There was no real adventure story here, either. Instead it is kind of a running commentary on the materialism of our society.
The beginning was br More...
This book was different than other Grisham books I've read in that it wasn't a thriller. There was no real adventure story here, either. Instead it is kind of a running commentary on the materialism of our society.
The beginning was br More...
Jul 27, 2011
Fantastic novel. The opening draws the readers in, twisting them between sympathy for the narrator, then revulsion at his lifestyle.
This is the same game that Grisham employs with most all his characters, such as Stafford, Snead, Nate O'Reilly. We are engaged with mixed feelings. But the emotional investment put into the born-again lawyer is powerful, especially as he struggles with an exotic adventure in the jungles of the Pantanal, with the haunts waiting for him back home, and his own perso More...
This is the same game that Grisham employs with most all his characters, such as Stafford, Snead, Nate O'Reilly. We are engaged with mixed feelings. But the emotional investment put into the born-again lawyer is powerful, especially as he struggles with an exotic adventure in the jungles of the Pantanal, with the haunts waiting for him back home, and his own perso More...
Feb 19, 2011
Michael
rated it:
A Super book that Ranks right up there as his best.
I got this book from the book club. I've read just about all of John Grisham's novels, but for some reason I missed this one. I'm certainly glad I didn't, because I thought The Testament was close to being one of his best. I really enjoyed "The Partner", but this book ranks right up there. The characters were likable and believable. Mr. Grisham has demonstrated once more that he has a social conscience. He created a lovel More...
I got this book from the book club. I've read just about all of John Grisham's novels, but for some reason I missed this one. I'm certainly glad I didn't, because I thought The Testament was close to being one of his best. I really enjoyed "The Partner", but this book ranks right up there. The characters were likable and believable. Mr. Grisham has demonstrated once more that he has a social conscience. He created a lovel More...
Jun 04, 2010
Sandra
rated it:
Good, solid Grisham with a bit more negative about lawyers then is even his usual fare. It features a cast of characters no mother would claim: a fairly selfish, self made rich man who has married attractive but superficial blondes, fathered children, and left for them for younger models at least three times (settling generous funds on the divorced spouses), all previous and current spouses, offspring and many lawyers for each of them, all salivating over inheriting the sick rich man's billion
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Sep 14, 2011
Shane
rated it:
It was okay, a lot of the characters are cliches. No "whore with a heart of gold", but close enough. My first Grisham novel and I'm disappointed.
I felt it was a pedestal for Grisham to push his views out to people that largely already agree with him. I'm going to guess a largely conservative crowd. I found it annoying how he idealized christianity over the tribal religion. And how he idealized the missionary at all. She really was a cliche of the dedicated missionary, the m More...
I felt it was a pedestal for Grisham to push his views out to people that largely already agree with him. I'm going to guess a largely conservative crowd. I found it annoying how he idealized christianity over the tribal religion. And how he idealized the missionary at all. She really was a cliche of the dedicated missionary, the m More...
