[Review] The Testament - John Grisham

Title of Book:  The Testament
Author:  John Grisham
Publisher:  Random House Publishing Group

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 elevan-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 disgraces corporate attorney handpicked for his last job: to Rachel Lane at any cost. As Phelan's family circles like vultures in D.C., Nate is crashing through 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....


                Money, money, and money is all that being described in the book. Well, I don’t blame the writer because the title itself is The Testament. An old man, very rich one, decided to kill himself by jumping off one of his office building. I think he felt lonely in his age. He had three families but none of them cared him like a family should. So it felt like he didn’t have family at all. Moreover, his families were after his money. All of them, children and ex-wives. They were waiting for his death hoping that they could get The old man’s money. But the story won’t be interesting if the main character’s children get all the money. Well, the old man’s name is Troy Phelan. Thank God that Troy’s character was a bit ‘unique’. He deceived his children, making them believe that they will get the money. In the end, he gives almost all of the money to his illegitimate child, whom no one knows.
                The thrills of this book come when Troy’s lawyer executes the will. He has to find the Troy’s child whose name is Rachel Lane. Apparently, Ms. Lane doesn’t want to be found. So Troy’s Lawyer sends one of his partners to find her in Brazil. The partner, Nate O’Riley apparently was an alcoholic and trying to return his life back to the right direction. Before reading this book, I found the suspense of Grisham’s book when the main character is in court, or chased by mafia, or maybe the FBI. But here, it happens when Nate, an American that accustomed with alcohol, women, and other luxuries has to find his way in Pantanal’s inland.
                I’ve never been abroad; I’ve never been to Brazil. So I have no idea where is Pantanal, how does Brazil look like, the land, the people, which I know for sure, different from my country. But fortunately Grisham describes the detail clearly for the reader. Well at least it works for me. Too bad the court scene bores me. They always talk about money in a very greedy way. I mean the ex-wives and children. Back to the title, it’s about a testament after all.


No comments :

Post a Comment