The Testament - John Grisham

...his wheelchair, practically runs across the room out onto the terrace and dives from the top floor of his 14 storey building to his death. The sick, sad, lonely self made multi billionaire knew that he wanted to die, knew that his family wouldn't mourn him much and wanted to cause them as much grief as he could by setting the scene for the last act of his life. A short time before his death Troy who was one of the richest men in the USA was examined ...
...All of who were in the room with their individual lawyers at the time of the examination and signing. His families, their lawyers and the psychiatrists then left the room totally satisfied with the filmed proceedings. Camera still running, and with just 3 others remaining (Josh Stafford, a partner in the law firm and Troy’s gofer Snead) Troy shredded that will and produced and signed an handwritten 1 page will revoking all others and leaving ...

shewhosmiles 29.11.2002 (09.12.2002) · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

To continue on the theme of John Grisham books comes the next one I found on my shelf as I work through all the old Books I’ve read. In fact looking at my bookcase there are more books by him in there than any other author, which I suppose really shows the kind of effect The Brethren had on my reading habits. The Testament is another of my favourite books by Grisham. As far as I’m aware before we go any further, this is one of the few ...
...simple to understand. And although the majority of his characters are lawyers or legal students this shouldn’t put you off. When the 10th Richest man in America, Troy Phelan decides at 80 years old that rather than continue suffering he needs to end his life. He gets out of his wheel chair and throws himself off the balcony from the 14th storey of his company Head quarters. Leaving behind a number of possible heirs to his fortune, who are ...

Andy.mack 10.11.2003 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

The Testament, another hefty best-seller from John Grisham. Just how well does it stack up against his other novels? The Plot ~~~~~~~~ Ageing billionaire businessman Troy Phelan, tiring of life, draws up a new will before committing suicide. The hopes of his six children and three ex-wives are confounded by the surprise naming of a previously unsuspected illegitimate daughter as the major beneficiary. The bequest is complicated by the fact that ...
...missionary somewhere in Brazil. The story develops on two strands; the legal challenges of the children and the quest for the missing daughter. The defence of the will is led by the late Troy Phelan’s lawyer, Josh Stafford. The quest for the daughter, Rachel Lane, is undertaken by Nate O’Riley, a partner in Stafford’s law firm. O’Riley is newly discharged from rehab for his drug and alcohol addictions. This novel has far less of the legal technicalities ...

pauljm 31.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...its satisfying climax. The book opens from the first person perspective of Mr. Troy Phelan, self-made tycoon and octogenarian, worth approximately $11.5 billion. Troy is a very unhappy, bitter old man, with several ex-wives and six wastrels as his legitimate children. He has made the decision that he would prefer not to remain on earth, and has resolved to end it by leaping from the top of his Virginia business tower, 100 floors to his death. Troy ...
...sound in mind, he signs the will with the words “Mickey Mouse”, produces another, handwritten will, signs it, then leaps from his wheelchair, runs across the board room and hurdles the protective barrier, plummeting to the pavement below to the amazement of his lawyers and butler. The handwritten will leaves virtually none of Troy’s fortune to his ex-wives and children: almost his entire estate is bequeathed to one Rachel Lane, ...

james.bridgeman 14.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...it first: It opens with the startling suicide of Troy Phelan, one of the world's richest men, a multi-billionaire, immediately after convening a meeting of his many ex-wives and children to discuss his will. The presumptive heirs are a greedy, despicable lot who have run through the millions he gave them in divorce settlements and coming-of-age handovers, and fully expect that although they've all been on bad terms with their tyrannical ex-husband ...
...not to give away all the surprises, leaves a final handwritten "holographic" will which gives his immense fortune to a long-lost illegitimate daughter, a missionary living in the wilds of Brazil. And here he starts to get Christian: The lawyer who shall find this daghter is a man who drank very much. And so he often stood before death after going again to rehab. He went through a snake- and alligator-infested wilderness in one of the world's last ...

Emperor 19.09.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...working with primitive Indians in the jungles of Brazil. The race is on to find her and sort out what is going on. When I started this, I was expecting pages upon pages of legalese and general Grisham stuff, the basic fodder of all his other novels. However, I soon realised that this was something different. True, his hero found himself in tight spots but there was a large amount of travel, a foreign country and even some religion mixed in as well, ...
...this novel went straight to the top of the charts. Another great novel by Grisham, but with a slightly disappointing ending, in my opinion. I will not say what happens, as that will spoil it but the ending is just not what I expected and I think it makes the book weaker. Still, there is no doubt that this will eventually be a movie. If you are a fan of Grisham, you will love it. If not, you should bear in mind that his books are not normally like ...

LukeCroll 01.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...books, but this is definitely the best yet. The Story This book is about a billionaire called Troy Phelan. He is old, has acquired a fortune of $11 billion, and has a large, alienated family. He is a bit of a womaniser, and this is reflected in the number of ex-wives. He is bitter and depressed and believes the money is the root of all his problems. He also despises his children and ex-wives. All of them are total losers, and have wasted the $5 ...
...self-written will, and jumps out the window. But what does the will say? I suppose I can tell you, its right at the start. He leaves his kids nothing, except he will pay off their debts - but if they contest the will they get nothing. he leaves everything to an illegitimate daughter who is a missionary in Brazil. Heavy stuff. After that, the story is about finding this missionary, the case the kids launch against the will, and thast all i'm going ...

Dawson 08.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

I have never really liked the "American best seller" as those I have read tend to be quite unimaginative and formulaic. Therefore I had never read a John Grisham book before having the preconceived idea that they would be in the same vein. On being recommended it by a friend I was really surprised by the quality of the writing and the fact that it really was the sort of book that kept you guessing and through really "caring" for the main characters ...
...little disappointed that it ended. The plot grips you right from the very unusual beginning and I think it would make a really good adventure movie - not in the vein of the client thankfully though if they keep close to the book. If you want a really good easy read you are unlikely to find a better choice. ...

sitch 13.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

This is only the second Grisham novel I have read but it confirms my impression of him after reading the Street lawyer. I have really enjoyed both novels which are compelling reads. I love books like this where you feel you just have to keep turning the pages and stay up late as you want to find out what happens next Grisham sticks to familiar territory of American lawyers but weaves an intriguing plat and builds up the key characters brilliantly. ...
...a way to die. The other key characters are a Nate O’Riley who is Washington prosecutor who has just come out of his fourth stay in rehab. The plot revolves around the huge fortune left to Rachel Lane, who is Troy’s illegitimate daughter working as a missionary in the Deepest jungles of Brazil. The plot unfolds around these characters and has a couple of good twists and turns - ...

PaulSingh 28.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...seems to be delving into the realms of observational comedy at times. But this is a little beside the point. The point is, if you love Grisham’s work then you’ll love this book (even if you’ve never read anything of his you ought to (he’s the man when it comes to this kind of fiction)). Basically, quite early on in the book, an incredibly wealthy businessman commits suicide. Everybody is very interested in his will. The businessman realises this ...
...his money ends up in the right hands. The distribution is important because he’s had several children and a few wives. After a couple of plot twists, the legal foray duly erupts. Everyone is having a go at everyone else. The adventure begins when we are introduced to a now very important person living as a missionary in a Brazilian rainforest. I think I’ve already spoiled it a little so I’ll shut up. You’ll find that Grisham’s upbeat narrative ...

Rodarama 09.09.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...remarkable adventure that will alter the characters lives forever. It centres around the search for the beneficiary for a billionaire’s will, the self same billionaire who has left his fortune to an unknown heir, alienating his family and friends in the process. The hero is a rather pathetic individual who is trying to resolve his personal problems (drinking, womanising, etc), whilst being a last ditch shot at keeping his job. The plot is complicated, ...

Peachypobs 06.11.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...(what?) and inexplicable olde English) the novel has become a huge relief to a tired english student. John Grisham is a writer with what is known as 'real talent'. 'The Testament' certainly puts this to use and it is very successful in using a unique plot-line and bringing it to life for the reader. It follows the story of a dying multi-millionaire, his shocking last will, an undetectable heir to his fortune, and the search to find her. I think ...
...is almost travel writing - the details are so exact that it seems that you, too, are travelling in a river boat in search of a lost tribe. Grisham perfectly captures the atmosphere in his narrative and the reader is lost in a plot of suspense, danger but also light humour. It is impossible to put this down once you have started reading. ...

lec299 23.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...a lot of details on the places and the story itself. It takes us in the offices of one of the richest men in United States, Troy Phelan. It seems that Phelan's family was not a family but a group of weired and crazy people. Troy is an eccentric man, never loved by any, but everyone loved his money. He ends his life in a wheelchair and always closed in his rich apartment. Phelan wanted to screw everyone and I am sure that such people exist. He did ...
...Nate O'Riley, is assigned with the job to find the truth. Nate starts his adventure in the remote parts of Brazil. I am sure that John really visited such places and used to live the experience of such people. Some parts are too good to be true. This is one of them. The litigator is searching for Troy's unknown daughter in the mission of Brazil, Rachel Lane. After a lot of trouble he finds her. Rachel was not aware of her father, but she knew that ...

joemal 07.08.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...seen and enjoyed several of the movies made from John Grisham's books, but this is the first book of his that I have read. The story is based around the death of one of the richest men in America and the subsequent legal battle over the will that he left (the testament). The story manages to mix legal suspense with a wild adventure in South America, the result is a book that is difficult to put down. A must read. This is the first Grisham book that ...

sheedy 27.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham

...for almost anyone. Whatever the excuse for buying a book, make sure you buy this one. Its a book which covers more of human nature and life in general than it would first appear to. The plot at first glance is a super one, with a multi billionaire passing away, leaving his fortune to a missionary locked away in a jungle. Whilst she is being found, the money grabbing relatives try and get their share. Not only does it follow this general plot, but ...

scoobyman 22.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Testament - John Grisham