... 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 ... Read review
Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read ... more
his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth $11 billion. Phelan's three ex-wives, their grasping offspring, a legion of lawyers, several psychiatris...
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Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read ... more
his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth $11 billion. Phelan's three ex-wives, thei r grasping offspring, a legion of lawyers, several psychiatri...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: Free!
Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read ... more
his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth $11 billion. Phelan's three ex-wives, thei r grasping offspring, a legion of lawyers, several psychiatri...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: Check Site.
Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read ... more
his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth $11 billion. Phelan's three ex-wives, thei r grasping offspring, a legion of lawyers, several psychiatri...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read ... more
his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth $11 billion. Phelan's three ex-wives, thei r grasping offspring, a legion of lawyers, several psychiatri...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: Check Site.
Advantages: Interesting, well written adventure/courtroom story Disadvantages: No sex
...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 ... ...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 ... more
Eighty-year-old Troy Phelan jumps out of 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 by 3 notable psychiatrists and pronounced sound in mind. Then he signed a 90 page professionally prepared will sharing his billions out equally amongst his 6 children from 3 broken marriages. 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 his billions to illegitimate daughter Rachael Lane. Only Troy knew of her existence and nobody including him had more than a vague idea where she was.
In a letter to Josh he ordered the contents of the will not to be disclosed until January 9th, one month after his death. In that final testament all he left his 6 legitimate heirs was payment of any debts incurred before the reading and that would be only on condition that none of them contested the will. Immediately after signing the will he jumped to his death leaving behind a great deal of controversy and uncertainty.
His slick lawyer Josh Stafford was faced with the problem of finding Rachel Lane. All he had to go on was that she was a trained doctor and a World Tribes missionary in Brazil working for a religious outfit who had been sworn to secrecy about her. As far as his 6 children were concerned they were his heirs and had no idea that the final will had cut them out. Their problem was in getting enough credit to buy the expensive things that they desired and would be able to afford once they inherited the money.
At this stage I pondered on the fairness of a man that can play games with his children and detest them so much that he can disregard the security of their futures yet leave a massive fortune to a daughter that he had only met once and 20 years earlier. We learn that he had little interest in them as children and that each had received a trust fund of $5,000,000 on reaching 21, excepting for his weird 14 year old son Ramble whose money was waiting in trust for him. The 5 who had received their trust funds had gone through most or all of the money and some were in debt. Troy had worked hard for his money and was certain that his incompetent children and their partners would fritter the fortune away. I can understand that point of view but heck what’s the point of having money if you live austerely as Troy did and don’t enjoy it.
Josh decides rather strangely to send 48 year old food litigation lawyer Nate O’Riley to Brazil to look for Rachael. At the time of Troy’s death alcoholic Nate is drying out in a rehab centre for the umpteenth time and hardly the most suitable choice for the task and the temptations on the way. With 2 failed marriages and children that don’t like him, Nate’s excess baggage includes self-pity and to a certain extent the self-delusion of an alcoholic who has often stumbled at the hurdles of reform.
Nate travels to the Brazilian jungle while the Phelan heirs and their many legal advisors wrangle greedily over the inheritance. The book swings back and forth between both aspects of the story but my favourite parts were the descriptions of Nate sailing down an alligator infested river in a storm and the settlement of hostile semi-naked Ipica Indians and their surroundings.
I won’t say any more about the plot except that the will was read 2 weeks instead of a month after Troy’s death as he specified. I found that rather odd and there was no real reason given for not carrying out Troy’s last wishes, certainly not enough to affect the plot.
I haven’t read anything by John Grisham before and only picked this book in the library because of reading enthusiastic opinions about some of his other books. I wasn’t disappointed in my choice and found the storyline interesting enough to want to read to the end and find out what happens although it didn’t totally absorb me to a point where I couldn’t put the book down. I found some of the plot implausible but it seemed to strengthen rather than weaken this piece of fiction.
The main character Nate was well described and it was quite easy to build up empathy with him, but in parts I wanted to give him a big nudge with an extreme part of my anatomy. Part of the implausibility of the book was the speed in which Nate managed to travel to a remote part of Brazil called the Panatel, have some adventures and find Rachel with little information to go on.
When Rachel finally comes into the story I found it hard to find any empathy with her. She’s a good woman, dedicates her life to her religion and caring for natives in a remote part of the world with little access to what we call civilisation. Suffers unimaginable hardships every day stoically. A tough lady yet disappointingly little of her personality is exposed.
My favourite character was Jevy, Nate’s guide and translator in Brazil. Jevy had lived in the USA for a while and one day wanted to go back there. He came across as a caring, loyal, humorous and intuitive young man and was used in the story to keep Nate’s feet on the ground. I would liked to have seen the character expanded upon and explored more.
The Testament drew to a satisfying conclusion, leaving me with lots of things to think about. We all have to die sometime but wouldn’t it be awful dying knowing that the uncaring vultures waiting to pounce on what we leave behind are our children and the ones that we would most want to mourn us. It made me think about the lives of children with rich parents who spend time making more money instead of loving, raising, guiding and enjoying their children.
I learned something about the perils of the jungle and the way primitive tribes still live even now. I thought about the value of missionaries who apart from bible bashing offer invaluable medical care and knowledge making a not always welcome good and real difference to the existence of people from remote areas.
Greed was the motivation of many of the characters in the book, including some of the lawyers. You learn that those who uphold the law are not always honest when millions are at stake and hope that the storyline isn’t too true to life. Once the scenes with the lawyers came in I expected to find the book boring. I didn’t, I found myself curious to know how the Phelan heirs would react and just how low they and their lawyers would stoop. The switches to the jungle adventure were perfectly timed to stop me from ever feeling bored.
Although classed as a thriller it wasn’t thrilling, just a well told story with adventure, a hint of romance, a delve into the lives of spoilt filthy rich, an insight into the mind of a reforming alcoholic and the amount of money that lawyers can make out of other peoples deaths. Not the best book that I’ve ever read but still eminently readable and recommended for long winter evenings curled up in front of the fire. I shall certainly read more of John Grishams work in the future.
Paperback copies are available at Amazon for £5.59. Talking books are also available and cost £11.70 for Audio Cassette, £14.99 for Audio CD
Advantages: A throughly enjoyable read with a decent original storyline Disadvantages: May take too long to get going for some people.
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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Testament - John Grisham
Advantages: A fast moving storyline holds your attention... Disadvantages: ...despite the shallow characters and implausibility
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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Testament - John Grisham
Advantages: Objective tone, excellent characterisation, Grisham's characteristic page-turning suspense. Disadvantages: Won't be to everyone's taste: this is not The Firm, nor does it pretend to be
...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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Testament - John Grisham
Advantages: very interesting, Christian contents Disadvantages: you are hardly able to stop reading...
...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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Testament - John Grisham
Advantages: Full of travel information! Disadvantages: It builds up to what is ultimately a disappointing ending
...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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Testament - John Grisham
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Advantages: Can't think of any! Disadvantages: Everything.......
An overall disappoint book from the great JohnGrisham. This book starts well, then starts to drag, and picks up again towards the end - only to reach a disappointing finish.
Although this is a work of fiction, there is an element of truth to this book - we only have to turn on the TV and radio, or pick up a newspaper to be drenched in corruption.
However, he stereotypes and caricatures Christians and other groups, portraying them in the most simplistic, black and white way. Every character seems to be a walking cliché or stereotype, such as the southern evangelical voter who can be manipulated into voting for anything simply by whipping up a gay scare.
There was also an over abundance of legal jargon that took it away from the story.
If your new to JohnGrisham, don't start out with this book, he has so many brilliant ...
Advantages: the print is easy to read Disadvantages: too many characters
the author has written, however the book is still a good read. But it is no way near as good as 'The Testament' and 'A Time To Kill', which are two other novels that JohnGrisham has written in the past.
Nine years after the murder 'Danny Padgitt' is granted parole, which Traynor and the other residents of the town are disgusted at.
After 'Danny Padgitt' is released all of a sudden members of the jury that found him guilty are found dead, and Danny or one of the Padgitt family are prime suspects in the killings.
The ending of the book is absoulety brilliant and it made me keep reading, until I finished it. ...
Advantages: Very interesting and riveting Disadvantages: Understanding some of the "hill" language
. Latcher
Several young children
OTHER BOOKS BY JOHNGRISHAM
A Time to Kill
The Firm
The Pelican Bried
The Client
The Chamber
The Rainmaker
The Runaway Jury
The Partner
The Street Lawyer
The Testament
The Brethern ...
Product Information for "The Testament - John Grisham" »
Product details
Author
John Grisham
Title
The Testament
Genre
Thriller
Type
Fiction
ISBN
0099245027; 0385339585; 0712678263
Manufacturer's product description
Troy Phelan is a self-made billionaire, one of the richest men in the United States. He is also eccentric, reclusive, confined to a wheelchair, and looking for a way to die. Nate O'Riley is a high-octane Washington litigator who's lived too hard, too fast, for too long. Emerging from his fourth stay in rehab he knows returning to the real world is always difficult, but this time it's going to be murder. Rachel Lane is a young woman who chose to give her life to God, who walked away from the modern world with all its strivings and trappings and encumbrances, and went to live and work with a primitive tribe of Indians in the deepest jungles of Brazil. In a story that mixes legal suspense with a remarkable adventure their lives are forever altered by the startling secret of The Testament. About the AuthorJohn Grisham is the author of eleven previous bestselling novels. He lives with his family in Virginia and Mississippi.
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