What do you think?
Rate this book
The Testament
In a plush Virginia office, a rich, angry old man is furiously rewriting his will. With his death just hours away, Troy Phelan wants to send a message to his children, his ex-wives, and his minions—a message that will touch off a vicious legal battle and transform dozens of lives. Because Troy Phelan’s new will names a sole surprise heir to his eleven-billion-dollar fortune: a mysterious woman named Rachel Lane, a missionary living deep in the jungles of Brazil.
Enter the lawyers. Nate O’Riley is fresh out of rehab, a disgraced corporate attorney handpicked for his last job: to find Rachel Lane at any cost. As Phelan’s family circles like vultures in D.C., Nate goes crashing through the Brazilian jungle, entering a world where money means nothing, where death is just one misstep away, and where a woman—pursued by enemies and friends alike—holds a stunning surprise of her own.
Enter the lawyers. Nate O’Riley is fresh out of rehab, a disgraced corporate attorney handpicked for his last job: to find Rachel Lane at any cost. As Phelan’s family circles like vultures in D.C., Nate goes crashing through the Brazilian jungle, entering a world where money means nothing, where death is just one misstep away, and where a woman—pursued by enemies and friends alike—holds a stunning surprise of her own.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 1999
4749 people are currently reading
28905 people want to read
About the author
John Grisham
469 books88k followersJohn Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,079 reviews
September 29, 2007
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!
March 8, 2008
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.
Think of me what you will, but I don't like missionary work, and it bothers me that the protagonist here is painted saintlike (perhaps that is a poor choice of words) because she chose this occupation in order to hide from the world (the idea of God is just an afterthought). Even though I am a Christian, I don't like to assume that my path is the only way to know God, and missionary work feels more selfish than selfless because of this assumption. Go into the jungles and deserts of the world and give out medicine and build houses without trying to put another notch on your belt for Jesus, and instead teach about the goodness we can all do for one another, and then I'll approve of the mission. Until then it's not going to happen, and I was very annoyed with Rachel's character and the way in which she was exalted for what to me were shady motives.
I saw Rachel as no less selfish than the other characters, even if there was a different motivation and product. Even without the let-down of an ending and the overabundance of obnoxious characters, the idea of the missionary as the protagonist in the good-of-heart role would have turned my stomach enough for a poor rating on this book.
Think of me what you will, but I don't like missionary work, and it bothers me that the protagonist here is painted saintlike (perhaps that is a poor choice of words) because she chose this occupation in order to hide from the world (the idea of God is just an afterthought). Even though I am a Christian, I don't like to assume that my path is the only way to know God, and missionary work feels more selfish than selfless because of this assumption. Go into the jungles and deserts of the world and give out medicine and build houses without trying to put another notch on your belt for Jesus, and instead teach about the goodness we can all do for one another, and then I'll approve of the mission. Until then it's not going to happen, and I was very annoyed with Rachel's character and the way in which she was exalted for what to me were shady motives.
I saw Rachel as no less selfish than the other characters, even if there was a different motivation and product. Even without the let-down of an ending and the overabundance of obnoxious characters, the idea of the missionary as the protagonist in the good-of-heart role would have turned my stomach enough for a poor rating on this book.
May 28, 2024
Reclusive eccentric self-made billionaire Tory Phelan, changed his will one more time before taking a suicide nosedive on to concrete. His mostly awful (partially because of his neglect and deep business focus) multiple ex-wives and his children begin making plans and spending money before his testament is read; and these relatives are horrified and angered when the last will and testament is read out giving the 11 billion dollar fortune to a n illegitimate daughter who has spent the last decade as a religious relief worker working with a primitive tribe in the deepest jungles of Brazil.
This was like two books in one, one book was about the greedy family and their unscrupulous lawyers trying to get the testament over turned = interesting; the other book was about a drug and drink addicted lawyer using the quest for the will beneficiary in deepest Brazil as a way for rebuilding his life yet again = boring! This is the weakest Grisham I have read to date, with so much time spent on the down-for-the-count lawyer finding a reason to live in the jungles of Brazil; the mostly repulsive family and just as bad lawyers I could have done with seeing a lot more of. A 6 out of 12 Three Star read.
2024 read
This was like two books in one, one book was about the greedy family and their unscrupulous lawyers trying to get the testament over turned = interesting; the other book was about a drug and drink addicted lawyer using the quest for the will beneficiary in deepest Brazil as a way for rebuilding his life yet again = boring! This is the weakest Grisham I have read to date, with so much time spent on the down-for-the-count lawyer finding a reason to live in the jungles of Brazil; the mostly repulsive family and just as bad lawyers I could have done with seeing a lot more of. A 6 out of 12 Three Star read.
2024 read
November 27, 2020
A legal fiction by John Grisham published 1999.
3.5 stars
This is a typical Grisham version of the David and Goliath story.
Before taking his own life billionaire Troy Phelan makes a new Last Will and Testament in which he leave to his legitimate offspring next to nothing. He leaves the bulk of his estate, all of 11 billion dollars, to an unknown illegitimate daughter that only he knows anything about.
This of course goes down like a lead balloon with all the legitimate heirs and it’s not long before the legal profession is up to its collective necks in it trying to right this heinous act of vindictive cruelty.
The major problem facing the late Troy Phelan’s lawyers is finding the lost daughter, who as it turns out, is living in the Brazilian jungle bringing the grace of God to the lives of the local Indians, wither they want it or not.
To find this, now fantastically wealthy, daughter the legal firm sends one of their staff members, who just happens to be a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, off to the wilds of Brazil with the intentions of finding the daughter and giving her the good news.
Up to this point I was really enjoying the story. The ferocity of the legal battle for the billions at stake, the journey into the Amazon wetlands and the plight of the local Amazon Indians were all well told and highly entertaining.
But from here on in it all begins to sound a bit like a born again Christian revival meeting. Which is all well and good for the believers amongst us but, personally speaking, being hit over the head with a bible is not my idea of fun.
An entertaining tale well told but for the afore mentioned.
3.5 stars
This is a typical Grisham version of the David and Goliath story.
Before taking his own life billionaire Troy Phelan makes a new Last Will and Testament in which he leave to his legitimate offspring next to nothing. He leaves the bulk of his estate, all of 11 billion dollars, to an unknown illegitimate daughter that only he knows anything about.
This of course goes down like a lead balloon with all the legitimate heirs and it’s not long before the legal profession is up to its collective necks in it trying to right this heinous act of vindictive cruelty.
The major problem facing the late Troy Phelan’s lawyers is finding the lost daughter, who as it turns out, is living in the Brazilian jungle bringing the grace of God to the lives of the local Indians, wither they want it or not.
To find this, now fantastically wealthy, daughter the legal firm sends one of their staff members, who just happens to be a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, off to the wilds of Brazil with the intentions of finding the daughter and giving her the good news.
Up to this point I was really enjoying the story. The ferocity of the legal battle for the billions at stake, the journey into the Amazon wetlands and the plight of the local Amazon Indians were all well told and highly entertaining.
But from here on in it all begins to sound a bit like a born again Christian revival meeting. Which is all well and good for the believers amongst us but, personally speaking, being hit over the head with a bible is not my idea of fun.
An entertaining tale well told but for the afore mentioned.
September 14, 2020
A rich old man is dying,leaving behind an eleven billion dollar fortune.He doesn't want his ex-wives or his children to inherit it.But the one he wants it to have,doesn't want it !
The setting is exotic,and memorable, in the Brazilian jungle.It is a thrilling adventure.Grisham spent time in Brazil himself,and gives a fascinating description.
One of Grisham's best.
The setting is exotic,and memorable, in the Brazilian jungle.It is a thrilling adventure.Grisham spent time in Brazil himself,and gives a fascinating description.
One of Grisham's best.
February 14, 2024
In addition to the mesmerizing courtroom brawling and legal maneuvering, The Testament probably has the most riveting plot and dynamic characters of all of the Grisham novels I have read thus far.
Heartrending and heart-stopping all at once. The powerful ending left me stunned.
Heartrending and heart-stopping all at once. The powerful ending left me stunned.
June 18, 2019
This is the kind of book we all hope to read. Excellent story right from the start to the very last page.
February 25, 2024
I read this book years ago and decided to re-visit it again when it was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed.
Because…
There is something to be said about an older Grisham novel.
And…
For this one, it may lack courtroom and enduring drama, but it is entertaining. With distinctive/flawed characters, including the one who set everything in motion, a billionaire ready to determine how his money will be divided upon his death.
But…
Instead of taking us into the courtroom as unworthy heirs and selfish attorneys duke it out for dollars, he takes us into the remote areas of Brazil, to find an unlikely one.
And…
It is those scenes of interesting tribes, menacing storms and deadly fevers, that gives this book an authentic feel.
With…
An attorney searching for an heir and his own redemption, soon the money issue will be resolved.
Even if…
The writing may be imperfect, who isn’t up for a nice jungle adventure?
Because…
There is something to be said about an older Grisham novel.
And…
For this one, it may lack courtroom and enduring drama, but it is entertaining. With distinctive/flawed characters, including the one who set everything in motion, a billionaire ready to determine how his money will be divided upon his death.
But…
Instead of taking us into the courtroom as unworthy heirs and selfish attorneys duke it out for dollars, he takes us into the remote areas of Brazil, to find an unlikely one.
And…
It is those scenes of interesting tribes, menacing storms and deadly fevers, that gives this book an authentic feel.
With…
An attorney searching for an heir and his own redemption, soon the money issue will be resolved.
Even if…
The writing may be imperfect, who isn’t up for a nice jungle adventure?
December 16, 2018
5 Stars. This is probably one of the best John Grisham books I've read. It's not the usual courtroom/murder drama....just people behaving badly.
February 15, 2011
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 read it so fast is because a friend lent it to me, and I wanted to give it back as soon as I could.
The dialogue was bland, there was way too much legal jargon that no one cares about, his descriptions of scenes and people didn't really leave much to the imagination, and the plot was pretty weak. An old, reclusive, very rich man who hates everyone commits suicide in the lamest way possible and leaves his fortune to a long lost illegitimate daughter who's a missionary in some far away country, so a lawyer has to find her and give her the money. Big deal. And of course, it wouldn't be complete if the lawyer who has to find the Christian woman is a drunken, drug addicted slob whom she helps to find God and he is "reformed" simply because she taught him to say "Forgive me God. Kthnxbai" and your slate is wiped clean.
I guess that's all it takes nowadays.
And don't even get me started on her so-called "Christian teachings."
I think I only gave it two stars because it gave me something to do.
*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 read it so fast is because a friend lent it to me, and I wanted to give it back as soon as I could.
The dialogue was bland, there was way too much legal jargon that no one cares about, his descriptions of scenes and people didn't really leave much to the imagination, and the plot was pretty weak. An old, reclusive, very rich man who hates everyone commits suicide in the lamest way possible and leaves his fortune to a long lost illegitimate daughter who's a missionary in some far away country, so a lawyer has to find her and give her the money. Big deal. And of course, it wouldn't be complete if the lawyer who has to find the Christian woman is a drunken, drug addicted slob whom she helps to find God and he is "reformed" simply because she taught him to say "Forgive me God. Kthnxbai" and your slate is wiped clean.
I guess that's all it takes nowadays.
And don't even get me started on her so-called "Christian teachings."
I think I only gave it two stars because it gave me something to do.
February 18, 2015
SPOILER WARNING!
One of the best books I have ever read. Grisham does a great job of blending the law genre and the adventure genre. Nate O' Reilly, the main character is a lawyer fresh out of rehab, for the fourth time. Nate travels to South America to find out more about Rachel Lane, mysterious illegitimate heir to Troy Phelan's 11 billion dollar will. Out of Troy's 3 marriages, dozen's of children, Rachel Lane gets it all. Nate travels to Corùmba, Brazil in hopes to find Rachel Lane, a missionary working in the Patanal swamp. Not only does Nate find her, he befriends her. But, she is unwilling to receive the 11 billion dollars. Nate finally leaves to come back to D.C when he contracts Dengue Fever, and almost dies. He is sent back to the states after recovering, but misses Corùmba. Rachel was able to show him the ways of god and help him quit alcohol and drugs. Nate decides to reinvent himself and visit the family from his broken marriages. First stop is Salem, Oregon where he visits his young children. Next he travels to Detroit to visit his older son, who had flunked out of college. When he gets back he is ready for the trial. Two Weeks after, the dispositions all done, it was time for the official trial. Afterwards Nate travels back to Corùmba to get Rachel's signature on the papers. Only to find out that she contracted Malaria and died. She had left a holographic will of herself, taking the fortune she received in the will of Troy Phelan and putting it in a trust that Nate was in charge of. The book ends on Nate's journey back to the states. John Grisham
One of the best books I have ever read. Grisham does a great job of blending the law genre and the adventure genre. Nate O' Reilly, the main character is a lawyer fresh out of rehab, for the fourth time. Nate travels to South America to find out more about Rachel Lane, mysterious illegitimate heir to Troy Phelan's 11 billion dollar will. Out of Troy's 3 marriages, dozen's of children, Rachel Lane gets it all. Nate travels to Corùmba, Brazil in hopes to find Rachel Lane, a missionary working in the Patanal swamp. Not only does Nate find her, he befriends her. But, she is unwilling to receive the 11 billion dollars. Nate finally leaves to come back to D.C when he contracts Dengue Fever, and almost dies. He is sent back to the states after recovering, but misses Corùmba. Rachel was able to show him the ways of god and help him quit alcohol and drugs. Nate decides to reinvent himself and visit the family from his broken marriages. First stop is Salem, Oregon where he visits his young children. Next he travels to Detroit to visit his older son, who had flunked out of college. When he gets back he is ready for the trial. Two Weeks after, the dispositions all done, it was time for the official trial. Afterwards Nate travels back to Corùmba to get Rachel's signature on the papers. Only to find out that she contracted Malaria and died. She had left a holographic will of herself, taking the fortune she received in the will of Troy Phelan and putting it in a trust that Nate was in charge of. The book ends on Nate's journey back to the states. John Grisham
September 27, 2017
Another solid tale by Grisham! It wasn't a typical Courtroom Drama either like most of his books are.
The Testament opens us with the ruthless self-made Billionaire Troy Phelan, who is in his 90's who is dying, has written out his last will with the help of his Lawyer Josh Stafford, and being observed by 3 psychiatrists to see if he is of sound-mind. Phelan commits suicide by jumping out a window just seconds after writing his Testament, which says the rest of his estate will instead of to his money=grabbing family, to his illegitimate daughter Rachel Lane, who none of Phelan's family or associates know about or have ever seen or met.
Now after Phelan's suicide, Josh Stafford calls upon his colleague Nate O'Reilly to find Rachel, who has become a missionary in Brazil, Troy paid her to go to college but disappeared into Medical School and Seminary, and went to Brazil. O'Reilly, who has been off and on drugs and alcohol many times, been married twice and both divorced, and has 2 grown-up children from both marriages. Nate travels to Brazil to track down Rachel, and meets up with her in the jungles of Brazil where she is a missionary for the Brazilian Natives. After meeting her Nate tries to convince her to take the money and return to America, but she rejects him saying she doesn't want the money and won't return and that she's happy where she is and happy with what she's doing, and Nate starts to grow feelings for Rachel.
I loved the story, great characters, I loved the Brazil/South America setting, and I feel the story delivers a great message. I highly recommend this to all Grisham fans!!
The Testament opens us with the ruthless self-made Billionaire Troy Phelan, who is in his 90's who is dying, has written out his last will with the help of his Lawyer Josh Stafford, and being observed by 3 psychiatrists to see if he is of sound-mind. Phelan commits suicide by jumping out a window just seconds after writing his Testament, which says the rest of his estate will instead of to his money=grabbing family, to his illegitimate daughter Rachel Lane, who none of Phelan's family or associates know about or have ever seen or met.
Now after Phelan's suicide, Josh Stafford calls upon his colleague Nate O'Reilly to find Rachel, who has become a missionary in Brazil, Troy paid her to go to college but disappeared into Medical School and Seminary, and went to Brazil. O'Reilly, who has been off and on drugs and alcohol many times, been married twice and both divorced, and has 2 grown-up children from both marriages. Nate travels to Brazil to track down Rachel, and meets up with her in the jungles of Brazil where she is a missionary for the Brazilian Natives. After meeting her Nate tries to convince her to take the money and return to America, but she rejects him saying she doesn't want the money and won't return and that she's happy where she is and happy with what she's doing, and Nate starts to grow feelings for Rachel.
I loved the story, great characters, I loved the Brazil/South America setting, and I feel the story delivers a great message. I highly recommend this to all Grisham fans!!
October 15, 2019
As the book title implies, this is a story involving the last will and testament of one of the wealthiest men in the world. But it's really comprised of two separate storylines. One is the wrangling of heirs and their unscrupulous attorneys to overturn the final wishes of the deceased - essentially a money-grab. The second storyline is the journey of an ambulance chasing, alcoholic attorney who must brave dangers lurking in Brazil's Amazon in order to locate the rightful heir of this fortune.
Grisham novels, IMO, tend to be hit or miss. I loved Pelican Brief and The Firm. Others, not so much. This book was really great until the very end, when I felt the author must have simply run out of steam. The ending, while it did kinda wrap up the story, left me feeling a bit cheated. Still worth reading for the overall story, but don't expect to be particularly satisfied at the end.
Grisham novels, IMO, tend to be hit or miss. I loved Pelican Brief and The Firm. Others, not so much. This book was really great until the very end, when I felt the author must have simply run out of steam. The ending, while it did kinda wrap up the story, left me feeling a bit cheated. Still worth reading for the overall story, but don't expect to be particularly satisfied at the end.
August 13, 2019
Utterly fantastic audiobook even though I was not thrilled with the narrator's delivery. The story got me past that quickly. The setup of the story is great and unlike anything I've seen before. The most interesting part of the story has little to do with law and takes a lawyer with lots of problems into an adventure that is in the wilds and so engrossing. Besides being in the geographical wilds, it is also into the wilds of his being. The other part of the story is law, lawyers, greedy heirs and is quite entertaining. This is one I'll read again, probably in print next time. Dynamite story!
January 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved reading The Testament one of my favourite John Grisham books.
I absolutely loved reading The Testament one of my favourite John Grisham books.
September 15, 2019
Now this was the book I just could not wait getting to read when I decided I wanted to read all of John Grisham's novels (from the very first book and in order). I have read quite a few of his novels many many years ago, but not all of them and this one was the one that I remembered the most and since reading it the first time had kept it on my favourite books of all time list ever since. On second reading, I enjoyed this even more than the first time I read it - if that is at all possible!
Although the overall story in this book is that Troy Phelan dies leaving billions to an unknown daughter and we follow what happens next, we do follow each of the other sons and daughters of Troy that when he was alive he viewed as disappointments.
My favourite part of this book was following Nate, who is a lawyer but has suffered from drug/alcohol problems and had, until recently, been in a rehab facility. He is called upon by his firm to go and find this unknown daughter who just so happens to be in Brazil, in the middle of nowhere, living as a missionary. Not only do we follow Nate's journey, we learn more about Rachel (the unknown daughter) right from her past, present and hoped future. This part for me was both addicting and heartbreaking in places.
Even though I found this story to be slow paced, I just could not put it down and read it almost in one entire day! If you have not yet picked up a John Grisham novel, this would be a good one to start at (and then follow it with A Time to Kill and go from there).
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Although the overall story in this book is that Troy Phelan dies leaving billions to an unknown daughter and we follow what happens next, we do follow each of the other sons and daughters of Troy that when he was alive he viewed as disappointments.
My favourite part of this book was following Nate, who is a lawyer but has suffered from drug/alcohol problems and had, until recently, been in a rehab facility. He is called upon by his firm to go and find this unknown daughter who just so happens to be in Brazil, in the middle of nowhere, living as a missionary. Not only do we follow Nate's journey, we learn more about Rachel (the unknown daughter) right from her past, present and hoped future. This part for me was both addicting and heartbreaking in places.
Even though I found this story to be slow paced, I just could not put it down and read it almost in one entire day! If you have not yet picked up a John Grisham novel, this would be a good one to start at (and then follow it with A Time to Kill and go from there).
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
September 25, 2019
The Testament is a typical John Grisham novel—which means it's an entertaining and suspenseful read!
Troy Phelan, wealthy and dying, decides to teach his ex-wives and many children a lesson by changing his will and leaving his money to a daughter, Rachel, that no one knows about. The book alternates between the family members and their multiple attorneys who are fighting to get “their” money, and Nate O'Riley, a lawyer with the firm representing Troy. Nate is just out of yet another rehab, so he's expendible. He is sent to find Rachel, a missionary, which means traveling to the untamed jungles of Brazil and searching for someone who doesn't want to be found.
What was uniquely interesting about this book is that half of it is jungle adventures! The descriptions of the unexplored parts of Brazil, the dangers of snakes and rivers and unfriendly Indians and deadly diseases, were exciting—and I loved the contrast going back and forth.
If you like John Grisham novels, if you like legal thrillers, or if you like adventure novels, I recommend this book! One of John Grisham's best.
Troy Phelan, wealthy and dying, decides to teach his ex-wives and many children a lesson by changing his will and leaving his money to a daughter, Rachel, that no one knows about. The book alternates between the family members and their multiple attorneys who are fighting to get “their” money, and Nate O'Riley, a lawyer with the firm representing Troy. Nate is just out of yet another rehab, so he's expendible. He is sent to find Rachel, a missionary, which means traveling to the untamed jungles of Brazil and searching for someone who doesn't want to be found.
What was uniquely interesting about this book is that half of it is jungle adventures! The descriptions of the unexplored parts of Brazil, the dangers of snakes and rivers and unfriendly Indians and deadly diseases, were exciting—and I loved the contrast going back and forth.
If you like John Grisham novels, if you like legal thrillers, or if you like adventure novels, I recommend this book! One of John Grisham's best.
January 22, 2021
Second Read: I totally forgot that I have already read this book just over four years ago. I really liked it then, and really like it now. Highly recommend if you like good courtroom.
First Read: Fascinating!! I was extremely intrigued by this Grisham. His writing is above par, and definitely good enough to keep the readers at grasp and wondering what will happen next. I'm not too much into suicide, but the grip of it keeps us reading and wondering what the story is fully about.
Though different from many of his other books, I think The Testament becomes 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 touch with the Western world except for two phone calls a year. So Josh Stafford, Troy's long-time lawyer, dispatches one of his associates, Nate O'Riley, on a mission to find Rachel.
Nate is fresh out of drug rehab (his fourth trip), and is coming to terms with the wreck his life has become, with a failed marriage and kids he doesn't stay in touch with, on top of federal charges that jeopardize his law practice and good intentions but little hope of true sobriety and recovery. Josh sees this little trip as a chance to get Nate back on his feet, and also keep him away from trouble for a little while. Rachel Lane is a missionary there with World Tribes Missions, a group that seeks to evangelize unreached peoples by sending missionaries in to live with tribes permanantly and to get to know them and earn their trust. Nate, with the help of a couple local guides, finally tracks Rachel down in a remote village, only to learn that she doesn't want the money. This to Nate is of course shocking, and as he spends a few days with Rachel, he comes to see the deep contrast between her contentment and his own searching and floundering.
While in the jungle, Nate catches malaria, and narrowly escapes death after convalescing in a Brazilian hospital for a number of days. Once back in the States, he begins acting as Rachel's lawyer, in defense of the will, since the other Phelan heirs are contesting the will and seeking their own share of the vast estate. In the end, a settlement is offered to the other heirs, solving the legal troubles, except for the need for Rachel's signature. When Nate makes a return trip to Brazil, he learns that Rachel died of Malaria. But before her death, she signed the necessary papers, giving Nate control over the vast fortune in the form of a trust to benefit World Tribes, the spread of the gospel, and the betterment of the people of Brazil.
This book has the legal intrigue of Grisham's other books, with some comical but also interesting heirs and their lawyers battling for control of billions of dollars. But it is in the characters that this book excels. Grisham shows the devastation that money and greed can bring in the lives of the three ex-wives and six heirs-apparent (whom I absolutely can't stand) to the Phelan fortune. And he does a great job of contrasting this with the contentment that can be found elsewhere. Rachel is a very authentic character, and adds great depth to the book. In my opinion, the best character proves to be Nate O'Riley. His journeys to Brazil parallel the searching in his own life, and his encounters with the Phelan heirs and with Rachel cause him to refocus his own life. He re-focuses his life with new purpose and meaning. His journey shows how painful the past can be, but also how liberating God's truth and forgiveness is. The journey isn't easy for him, but Grisham has cast it just right, to make it authentic without being shallow and moralizing or preachy.
In short, I loved this book. The setting was fun and different, the legal maneuvering is vintage Grisham, and the characters bring the story to life. And, best of all, it is a great "testament" to the source of true meaning in life, none other than God and the forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ.
First Read: Fascinating!! I was extremely intrigued by this Grisham. His writing is above par, and definitely good enough to keep the readers at grasp and wondering what will happen next. I'm not too much into suicide, but the grip of it keeps us reading and wondering what the story is fully about.
Though different from many of his other books, I think The Testament becomes 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 touch with the Western world except for two phone calls a year. So Josh Stafford, Troy's long-time lawyer, dispatches one of his associates, Nate O'Riley, on a mission to find Rachel.
Nate is fresh out of drug rehab (his fourth trip), and is coming to terms with the wreck his life has become, with a failed marriage and kids he doesn't stay in touch with, on top of federal charges that jeopardize his law practice and good intentions but little hope of true sobriety and recovery. Josh sees this little trip as a chance to get Nate back on his feet, and also keep him away from trouble for a little while. Rachel Lane is a missionary there with World Tribes Missions, a group that seeks to evangelize unreached peoples by sending missionaries in to live with tribes permanantly and to get to know them and earn their trust. Nate, with the help of a couple local guides, finally tracks Rachel down in a remote village, only to learn that she doesn't want the money. This to Nate is of course shocking, and as he spends a few days with Rachel, he comes to see the deep contrast between her contentment and his own searching and floundering.
While in the jungle, Nate catches malaria, and narrowly escapes death after convalescing in a Brazilian hospital for a number of days. Once back in the States, he begins acting as Rachel's lawyer, in defense of the will, since the other Phelan heirs are contesting the will and seeking their own share of the vast estate. In the end, a settlement is offered to the other heirs, solving the legal troubles, except for the need for Rachel's signature. When Nate makes a return trip to Brazil, he learns that Rachel died of Malaria. But before her death, she signed the necessary papers, giving Nate control over the vast fortune in the form of a trust to benefit World Tribes, the spread of the gospel, and the betterment of the people of Brazil.
This book has the legal intrigue of Grisham's other books, with some comical but also interesting heirs and their lawyers battling for control of billions of dollars. But it is in the characters that this book excels. Grisham shows the devastation that money and greed can bring in the lives of the three ex-wives and six heirs-apparent (whom I absolutely can't stand) to the Phelan fortune. And he does a great job of contrasting this with the contentment that can be found elsewhere. Rachel is a very authentic character, and adds great depth to the book. In my opinion, the best character proves to be Nate O'Riley. His journeys to Brazil parallel the searching in his own life, and his encounters with the Phelan heirs and with Rachel cause him to refocus his own life. He re-focuses his life with new purpose and meaning. His journey shows how painful the past can be, but also how liberating God's truth and forgiveness is. The journey isn't easy for him, but Grisham has cast it just right, to make it authentic without being shallow and moralizing or preachy.
In short, I loved this book. The setting was fun and different, the legal maneuvering is vintage Grisham, and the characters bring the story to life. And, best of all, it is a great "testament" to the source of true meaning in life, none other than God and the forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ.
March 22, 2016
The Testament is an above average effort, but I wouldn't put it among Grisham's best. The subject is probate, which Grisham seems to enjoy and always does well. This time an eccentric billionaire Troy Phelan(One of my favorite Grisham characters ever) jumps out of a window to his death, after writing a new will, leaving his $11 Billion estate in limbo.
Despite being fully engaged by the story, there are a few things I didn't like about the book. I found the main character Nate O'reilly completely unsympathetic. I was very disappointed that the story started out with such a bang and then ended with a whimper. Once again, Grisham could have used a better editor.
I would recommend it cautiously, only because readers will probably get caught up in the story as I did and want to see where the money ends up.
Despite being fully engaged by the story, there are a few things I didn't like about the book. I found the main character Nate O'reilly completely unsympathetic. I was very disappointed that the story started out with such a bang and then ended with a whimper. Once again, Grisham could have used a better editor.
I would recommend it cautiously, only because readers will probably get caught up in the story as I did and want to see where the money ends up.
February 1, 2012
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 in rehab several times for alcohol and cocaine. He is twice divorce with kids he never sees. The IRS wants to put him in jail for tax fraud. He is close to the end of his current rehab stay, but he leaves to go to Brazil.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is not as powerful as some of the author’s other books, but it’s a fine story. His most popular books had more suspense and thriller. This is just a fictional story about lawyers and heirs to an estate. It’s different. It’s enjoyable and above average because of the author’s skill. He’s good at creating fun-to-watch characters. I chuckled at some of the wry comments. For example, Nate’s life is so miserable and he’s feeling such hangover pain, that he’s in a fog about the dangers around him. It’s like who cares if he has to fend off alligators. It’s just another inconvenience. After one event he says in his dry uncaring monotone “oh, I’m still alive?” His reactions and acceptance of jungle threats were humorous in a dry, satirical way. In addition to alligators he sees anacondas, piranhas, rats as big as dogs, and mosquitos. Later Nate suffered through dengue fever. Josh saw him and said “You look awful. You’re skinny as a rail.” Nate said “You want to lose fifteen pounds, find the right mosquito.” On another topic, I admired and liked the character Josh - smart, competent, but not perfect.
Maybe 40% of the story is lawyers for the grandchildren scheming to get money. The rest of the story is about Nate with some Rachel. I don’t want to give away too much, but I enjoyed Nate’s change. Many reviewers complained about the ending saying it was rushed and incomplete. I agree. I would have liked more. But it was acceptable to me. One part was a little sad, but my overall feeling at the end was “kind of nice.”
NARRATOR:
The narrator Frank Muller was fabulous. He’s very entertaining with the various personalities, especially with Nate’s attitude and comments.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook reading time: 14 hrs and 33 mins. Swearing language: moderate (one word used maybe once). Sexual content: none. Setting: current day Virginia and other east coast locations plus the jungles of Brazil and Bolivia. Book copyright: 1999. Genre: legal fiction. Ending: kind of nice but could have used more wrapping up.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve reviewed the following John Grisham books. Dates are copyright dates.
5 stars. The Firm 1991
5 stars. The Pelican Brief 1992
5 stars. The Client 1993
2 stars. The Chamber 1994
4 ½ stars. The Rainmaker 1995
5 stars. The Runaway Jury 1996
3 stars. The Partner 1997
3 stars. The Street Lawyer 1998
4 stars. The Testament 1999
4 stars. Playing for Pizza 2007
2 stars. Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer 2010 (for young adults)
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 in rehab several times for alcohol and cocaine. He is twice divorce with kids he never sees. The IRS wants to put him in jail for tax fraud. He is close to the end of his current rehab stay, but he leaves to go to Brazil.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is not as powerful as some of the author’s other books, but it’s a fine story. His most popular books had more suspense and thriller. This is just a fictional story about lawyers and heirs to an estate. It’s different. It’s enjoyable and above average because of the author’s skill. He’s good at creating fun-to-watch characters. I chuckled at some of the wry comments. For example, Nate’s life is so miserable and he’s feeling such hangover pain, that he’s in a fog about the dangers around him. It’s like who cares if he has to fend off alligators. It’s just another inconvenience. After one event he says in his dry uncaring monotone “oh, I’m still alive?” His reactions and acceptance of jungle threats were humorous in a dry, satirical way. In addition to alligators he sees anacondas, piranhas, rats as big as dogs, and mosquitos. Later Nate suffered through dengue fever. Josh saw him and said “You look awful. You’re skinny as a rail.” Nate said “You want to lose fifteen pounds, find the right mosquito.” On another topic, I admired and liked the character Josh - smart, competent, but not perfect.
Maybe 40% of the story is lawyers for the grandchildren scheming to get money. The rest of the story is about Nate with some Rachel. I don’t want to give away too much, but I enjoyed Nate’s change. Many reviewers complained about the ending saying it was rushed and incomplete. I agree. I would have liked more. But it was acceptable to me. One part was a little sad, but my overall feeling at the end was “kind of nice.”
NARRATOR:
The narrator Frank Muller was fabulous. He’s very entertaining with the various personalities, especially with Nate’s attitude and comments.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook reading time: 14 hrs and 33 mins. Swearing language: moderate (one word used maybe once). Sexual content: none. Setting: current day Virginia and other east coast locations plus the jungles of Brazil and Bolivia. Book copyright: 1999. Genre: legal fiction. Ending: kind of nice but could have used more wrapping up.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve reviewed the following John Grisham books. Dates are copyright dates.
5 stars. The Firm 1991
5 stars. The Pelican Brief 1992
5 stars. The Client 1993
2 stars. The Chamber 1994
4 ½ stars. The Rainmaker 1995
5 stars. The Runaway Jury 1996
3 stars. The Partner 1997
3 stars. The Street Lawyer 1998
4 stars. The Testament 1999
4 stars. Playing for Pizza 2007
2 stars. Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer 2010 (for young adults)
February 14, 2008
I'm impressed that I made it through to the end. At first it seemed like a cool idea...guy goes down to jungle and comes out a changed man. Instead it's more about finding God within a malaria-fevered haze. Grisham entering his 'very-preachy' stage.
June 15, 2024
What a terrific book! John Grisham turns in yet another fantastic Legal Thriller that focuses on more than just the legal aspects of the story. His characters, themes, and story itself are just fascinating and riveting to read.
This book is basically HBO's "Succession" meets "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". An old billionaire leaves his entire fortune to this woman no one has heard of, and his family all want to invalidate the will to get his money, no matter what it takes (very much like Succession). But the main lawyer of the story Nate O'Reilly is sent down to Brazil to find the woman, he realizes how difficult the task will be. The recipient of the 11 billion dollars is down in South America on a years long missionary trip helping local tribes who have never before seen Americans. Nate goes on small airplanes, boats, and hikes trying desparately to find this woman to let her know about her newfound fortune. (The adventurous travel really reminded me of Walter Mitty's story).
This is truly a brilliant story! Those elements alone made it great, but there is something else that elevated it to top fiction in my opinion: the writing of Rachel Lane!
Rachel is a missionary and doctor serving these tribes in Brazil, and Grisham uses her to absolutely nail what Christianity means and is like. It is so refreshing to read about a Christian character who actually acts Christian and to have a writer who understands not only what Christian beliefs are, but WHY Christian's hold them. This shows a level of understanding that is so rarely seen in secular literature, and I was floored by how well Grisham handled it.
There were a few scenes/chapters in the middle and near the end that could have been cut to make the story more lean and faster (certainly would have to be cut for a movie adaptation), but otherwise this novel is just fantastic in every way possible.
Overall, I loved this book, and probably will end up calling it my book of the month! 9.5 out of 10! Amazing job John Grisham!
This book is basically HBO's "Succession" meets "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". An old billionaire leaves his entire fortune to this woman no one has heard of, and his family all want to invalidate the will to get his money, no matter what it takes (very much like Succession). But the main lawyer of the story Nate O'Reilly is sent down to Brazil to find the woman, he realizes how difficult the task will be. The recipient of the 11 billion dollars is down in South America on a years long missionary trip helping local tribes who have never before seen Americans. Nate goes on small airplanes, boats, and hikes trying desparately to find this woman to let her know about her newfound fortune. (The adventurous travel really reminded me of Walter Mitty's story).
This is truly a brilliant story! Those elements alone made it great, but there is something else that elevated it to top fiction in my opinion: the writing of Rachel Lane!
Rachel is a missionary and doctor serving these tribes in Brazil, and Grisham uses her to absolutely nail what Christianity means and is like. It is so refreshing to read about a Christian character who actually acts Christian and to have a writer who understands not only what Christian beliefs are, but WHY Christian's hold them. This shows a level of understanding that is so rarely seen in secular literature, and I was floored by how well Grisham handled it.
There were a few scenes/chapters in the middle and near the end that could have been cut to make the story more lean and faster (certainly would have to be cut for a movie adaptation), but otherwise this novel is just fantastic in every way possible.
Overall, I loved this book, and probably will end up calling it my book of the month! 9.5 out of 10! Amazing job John Grisham!
March 5, 2016
This book is a shining light of what is really important in life. We all struggle in some ways. You just need to stay focused on what is really important
June 2, 2020
This book absolutely blew me away. It had depth, heart, humour, and faith. Amazing. The ending was perfect. I loved it.
August 30, 2013
Tenth in publishing order, THE TESTAMENT, shows an author with no sign of wear and tear.
Some guys don't like admitting they cry, but I don't care if others think I'm a wimp for this book making my eyes water. My oh my, it was good! I think it's a tie for me with A Time to Kill, both are brilliantly executed stories. I'm getting ahead of myself. Stay with me, this one cooks.
It starts in first person narrative with crotchety rich old guy, Troy Phelan, describing it detail just how desperately he wants to cut out his despicable family members from his will. He has called a psychiatric hearing in his house to have him declared of sound mind so that his final will and testament--the one where the family he hates receives equal share of his 11 billion dollar estate--will not be contested. Seconds after the doctors certify that he's mentally OK, Troy whips out a handwritten alternate will on three yellow pieces of paper--his real will, that cancels the other will that he hated, a will which cuts out everybody in his family except an illegitimate daughter. And then, with a sneering smile, he does something even more shocking!
This is the best opening to any Grisham story I've read yet. I was beyond hooked at this point.
The story switches to third person for the rest of the adventure which peppers in colorful scenes of money-grubbing relatives (I cracked up how the next day after his father dies, Troy Phelan Jr., a tool if there ever was one, is out buying two Porsches!) and a frantic search through the Amazon jungle by a washed-up, alcoholic lawyer for the secret sole billionaire heiress. Nobody knows exactly where the richest woman in the world is...
Just when readers think they have it figured out, the story twists and turns in thrilling fashion, moving the story a completely different direction. There is a little courtroom drama, but the central conflict is the battle over honoring a person's final wishes and exploring what truly matters in life: is it money, love or a much greater calling?
The author is a spiritual person and I also appreciated how God was worked into this tale in a non-preachy, and yet important manner. There is power with prayer and faith, and in the final pages tears came down my cheek because this story did what the best of the best stories do: enthralled, enchanted and made me want to be able to read forever. 5-stars and could not be possibly higher recommended for fans of thrillers and awesome stories in any genre. 6,494 Kindle locations. Approximately 482 pages.
Some guys don't like admitting they cry, but I don't care if others think I'm a wimp for this book making my eyes water. My oh my, it was good! I think it's a tie for me with A Time to Kill, both are brilliantly executed stories. I'm getting ahead of myself. Stay with me, this one cooks.
It starts in first person narrative with crotchety rich old guy, Troy Phelan, describing it detail just how desperately he wants to cut out his despicable family members from his will. He has called a psychiatric hearing in his house to have him declared of sound mind so that his final will and testament--the one where the family he hates receives equal share of his 11 billion dollar estate--will not be contested. Seconds after the doctors certify that he's mentally OK, Troy whips out a handwritten alternate will on three yellow pieces of paper--his real will, that cancels the other will that he hated, a will which cuts out everybody in his family except an illegitimate daughter. And then, with a sneering smile, he does something even more shocking!
This is the best opening to any Grisham story I've read yet. I was beyond hooked at this point.
The story switches to third person for the rest of the adventure which peppers in colorful scenes of money-grubbing relatives (I cracked up how the next day after his father dies, Troy Phelan Jr., a tool if there ever was one, is out buying two Porsches!) and a frantic search through the Amazon jungle by a washed-up, alcoholic lawyer for the secret sole billionaire heiress. Nobody knows exactly where the richest woman in the world is...
Just when readers think they have it figured out, the story twists and turns in thrilling fashion, moving the story a completely different direction. There is a little courtroom drama, but the central conflict is the battle over honoring a person's final wishes and exploring what truly matters in life: is it money, love or a much greater calling?
The author is a spiritual person and I also appreciated how God was worked into this tale in a non-preachy, and yet important manner. There is power with prayer and faith, and in the final pages tears came down my cheek because this story did what the best of the best stories do: enthralled, enchanted and made me want to be able to read forever. 5-stars and could not be possibly higher recommended for fans of thrillers and awesome stories in any genre. 6,494 Kindle locations. Approximately 482 pages.
August 7, 2025
Grisham's novel The Testament, totally delivered. This one was a legal thriller with some heart and some well thought character existentialism.
In this novel Grisham trades his usual high-octane courtroom and corporate conspiracies for something a little more quieter and maybe a tad more profound: a tale of redemption wrapped in a legal drama surrounded by an alcohol problem. Taking place in the boardrooms of D.C. and the mosquito infested jungles of the Brazilian Pantanal.
It's an adventure filled with anxed and moral redemption this story works on all avenues including the heart.
5 stars all around.
In this novel Grisham trades his usual high-octane courtroom and corporate conspiracies for something a little more quieter and maybe a tad more profound: a tale of redemption wrapped in a legal drama surrounded by an alcohol problem. Taking place in the boardrooms of D.C. and the mosquito infested jungles of the Brazilian Pantanal.
It's an adventure filled with anxed and moral redemption this story works on all avenues including the heart.
5 stars all around.
May 2, 2019
Πριν λίγους μήνες διάβασα την "Ομολογία" του John Grisham και ενθουσιαστηκα. Περνούσε τόσα πολλά μηνύματα, κρατώντας αναλλοίωτο το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη. Σε αυτό το βιβλίο, δεν μπορώ να πω ότι συνέβη το ίδιο. Ιδιαίτερα στο πρώτο μισό του βιβλίο βαρέθηκα. Η περιπέτεια του Νειτ μου φάνηκε ανούσια. Το μόνο που μου άρεσε ήταν οι τελευταίες εκατό σελίδες. Εκεί ο Grisham απέδειξε για άλλη μια φορά το ταλέντο του.
November 6, 2019
Let this book be a warning to me. I read it 20 years ago and loved it, but upon revisiting it, I would just say it was entertaining and leave it at that.
There's a lot of heavy handed preaching and simplified characters that would be worthy of a a junior high student.
I've changed who I was 20 years ago from when I first read this book, and the country has changed along with me. The paradigmatic insidious world we were thrown into 20 years ago are not who we are today. I, for one, think fiction needs to make us better than who we are and the flaws inherent in the author's non-transcending of 'the they' (Heidegger's 'das Man') of his time period that he was thrown into fails at that.
The NYTs in the 1930s had an article on how the books from 20 years ago weren't reflective of who we are today (in the 1930s). I was entertained by this book both times I've read this book, but I am happy that I see it now for the mindless excursion it is. I give it 4 stars because it made my daily treadmill routine easy, but I must say I don't feel good with myself for liking this tripe!
There's a lot of heavy handed preaching and simplified characters that would be worthy of a a junior high student.
I've changed who I was 20 years ago from when I first read this book, and the country has changed along with me. The paradigmatic insidious world we were thrown into 20 years ago are not who we are today. I, for one, think fiction needs to make us better than who we are and the flaws inherent in the author's non-transcending of 'the they' (Heidegger's 'das Man') of his time period that he was thrown into fails at that.
The NYTs in the 1930s had an article on how the books from 20 years ago weren't reflective of who we are today (in the 1930s). I was entertained by this book both times I've read this book, but I am happy that I see it now for the mindless excursion it is. I give it 4 stars because it made my daily treadmill routine easy, but I must say I don't feel good with myself for liking this tripe!
August 26, 2016
Another well written book by John Grisham that flows easily and keeps the reader wanting to read more.
The book is full of interesting if not nasty characters that are described perfectly by John Grisham. There are a number of sub plots that bring interest and intrigue into the novel. The first 100+ pages were very good but unfortunately the book did lose its way a little after that otherwise I would have rated it even higher.
The book is full of interesting if not nasty characters that are described perfectly by John Grisham. There are a number of sub plots that bring interest and intrigue into the novel. The first 100+ pages were very good but unfortunately the book did lose its way a little after that otherwise I would have rated it even higher.
January 24, 2018
It wasn't until the window scene that I remembered reading this book before. It contained two parallel story lines about parenting. It is a terrific example of the imagination of Grisham. Some parts were a little tedious. The ending was something the reader anticipates.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,079 reviews