Welcome to our second Book and a Recipe Book Club!
Last month hostess, Markee Anderson and I began this feature by discussing One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. We had a lot of fun and hope you did too.
Today we're talking about THE TESTAMENT by John Grisham. Even if you haven't read this particular book, but have read some John Grisham, join in the discussion. At the end of the day, we'll be randomly drawing one name from the list of those who comment and that lucky person will win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card!
Okay, take it away Markee . . .
I consider this book to be one of John Grisham’s best. He takes a legal thriller and adds in some adventure and many forms of emotion.
In the beginning, an old man is ready to sign his will, but little do we know, his money will go to someone we never knew about. It’s up to a washed out lawyer named Nate O’Riley to find the person, taking him to the deepest jungles of Brazil, changing his life forever.
This book, and many of the older Grisham books, are wonderful to read, with different layers and subplots. My children read them for book reports, because I know they don’t have the things in them that I don’t want teenagers to know about yet. He writes simply, and there isn’t any unnecessary words to throw you off the plot, but keeps you turning the pages to know more.
I don’t want to give away too much, but seriously, this is one book that will strike your fancy. The beginning, with Troy Phelan, is perfect, in my mind. He’s quite a curmudgeon and I just love that character. It truly fits in ratcheting up the conflict, setting the scene for the entire book. I also love when Nate finds Rachel, and her comments to him. I about died laughing the first time I read it, in total shock. Brilliant…simply brilliant.
Anyway, I want to hear from you. What did you like about the book? Do you think, in real life, that the lawyers would try to prove Troy was insane? What other Grisham books do you like?
And to leave you with a wonderful sweet taste in your mouth, how about this recipe:
Truffles:
Ingredients
• 10 ounces semisweet chocolate bits
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (can use any flavoring here)
• chopped nuts, and/or toasted coconut, and/or cocoa powder, for coating truffles
Directions
Add the chocolate and the butter to a double boiler and melt. Slowly mix in heavy cream and remove from the heat when warm. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture into 8X8 inch baking dish and put into refrigerator until cool for 1-2 hours. Using your hands or a spoon, scoop chocolate into balls and put on wax paper. Roll into nuts or coconut
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve at room temperature. Makes 30-40 truffles.
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So let the discussion begin! And tell your friends to stop by - not only do you get a chance to talk about a great book, but you might just win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. Not too shabby!
28 comments:
Hey, Karen! Thanks for posting this!
This is a fun book, because it really gets the reader involved in a great adventure.
I agree! This book really hooked me from the very first page. And he really does ramp up the adventure side of his writing here as well. I have to agree this is my favorite Grisham so far. The Client is another of my all time faves.
Oh, and that truffle recipe! My daughter and I are going to have to try that one today! :-)
I haven't read Grisham in awhile. Maybe I will have to check this out.
I''m not familiar with this J.G. story but now I'll have to read it. And the truffles? Get thee behind me, Satan. I will have to try that recipe, too. I'm salivating just reading the recipe.
Linda
I haven't read this one, but I've read Grisham in the past. Thanks for the recipe.
Hey, everyone! Thanks for commenting!
So no one's read this book? I have to say, by far, this is my FAVORITE Grisham book. I had to steal it back from my middle kid (the non-reader) because she actually read it and liked it. I told my mom about it, and now, she wants to go to B&N and get it (she doesn't have a computer or a Kindle and doesn't want any of that 'technology stuff.' HAHAHA!!!)
This book is what made me want to write adventures. You never know what's around the next turn...and I like that, as a reader.
I haven't read this one, but I will now! This story sounds very exciting. John Grisham is definitely a great writer - one of my favorites. I do love the way he writes suspense.
~Marie~
I agree, Marie, and I know you'd LOVE this one.
Cool! So Markee - looks like we might be making some sales for JG today. Think we should ask him for a cut? :-)
For JG fans - WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE Grisham book? How about movie based on a Grisham book? My fave movie from Grisham book is The Rainmaker (I love Danny DeVito!) with The Firm being a close second.
Okay - heading out to the store to buy ingredients for the truffles....
You're SO right, Karen!!! We DO deserve a cut!!!
The Rainmaker was OUTSTANDING as a movie! And I LOVED the book, too! The Client was amazing, too!
If you haven't read the book yet and want to see what we're talking about, check out the sample here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B02O7I.
If you don't have a Kindle, get the free Kindle to PC application.
The first part is about Troy Phelan, the very rich man and how he doesn't like his ex-wives and their children. He's a real curmudgeon! You'd love him, I bet...what a character!
I haven't read this one, either, although I've read a lot of Grisham. I think The Pelican Brief is my favorite, but I'm going to have to read The Testament, now, I think. Thanks for the heads up.
I think you'll love it, Linda! The Pelican Brief WAS outstanding, too. I just love his older ones. He's a master at storytelling.
It's been a little while since I've read Grisham. I'll have to check this book out.
I love John Grisham's books. I have read all but the last two. I have been negligent on picking them up, but have them on my life. I really enjoyed The Testament, I enjoy all of his books. I would have to say my favorite is A Time to Kill, mainly beacause it was the first and it got my attention!!
I haven't read a Grisham in a LOOONG time. But from what I remember, posting a recipe for Grisham book...I dunno. That just doesn't FIT.
:>)
Nicole...I know you'll like this one. It lets you escape nights of crying children and yelling teenagers (my house in a nutshell).
Judy...A Time to Kill with Matthew McConaughey in the movies. I remember watching that one. Very compelling!
HAHAHAH! Maria...you're so right! But I wanted something chocolate since they go to South America (Brazil) for the dessert. It's not a 'killing' book like many of his other ones. Does that help?
I don't know why, but my last post was posted twice. Oh well. Life goes on! :)
A Time to Kill was my first Grisham read - very good story.
What I love about The Testament is the whole "gotcha" factor - for those who haven't read it: the premise is that an old bazillionaire tells his family (he has nearly as many kids and ex-wives as he does dollars) he has a brain tumor and calls them in for a signing of his last will and testament. They all come, he signs, tells them to leave the room, then he pulls out ANOTHER will and testament, says THIS one negates all of the others, signs IT, then jumps out the window (and yes, the fall kills him). Well, it's the NEW will that is very interesting, not to mention the fact that he's left instructions that it not be read for a full month after his death. Okay, so I spoiled the first chapter for you, but that's it, and trust me, the rest is even more exciting.
Sounds like a good read...last book I read by John Grisham was Innocent Man that was based on a true story here in Oklahoma and his first non fiction. This one sounds interesting, putting it on my wish list. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Innocent Man - I remember when that came out. I remember it got good reviews, but I haven't read it myself.
I haven't read a John Grisham book in ages. This one sounds really good though, so it may be the one to get me back to reading his stuff. Thanks for the review.
I don't think I've read Innocent Man yet (let me go see if it looks familiar...nope...) but it looks AMAZING! I really like his lawyer-type of books the best.
Mary...I can guarantee this book won't disappoint you.
Linda Swift...I hope you like the truffles! I love chocolate. YUM!!!
Chris Redding...I hope you like this one!
L.C. Evans...I can guarantee you'll like this one. I didn't read Grisham for a long time, when he stopped writing lawyer-types of books. But I see he's back to it. Very cool!
Oh, and remember everyone - CHECK BACK TOMORROW MORNING after 10 am EST to find out who the winner of the $10.00 Amazon Gift Card is! Markee will be doing a random drawing tonight.
Sorry I'm late. I was gone most of the day. I'm lousy on titles but I've read The Firm, Playing for Pizza, one where the wife was a resident doctor and husband a lawyer, I loved it but it's been some time since I read it. I'm sure the title will eventually come to me. :) The husband left his practice to help a homeless guy or something. I haven't read The Testament but definitely want to.
Not sure which would be my favorite - I've enjoyed all Grisham books I've read.
Wow...now you have me thinking of which one that is, Diane. The wife was a doctor and the husband was a lawyer, but left. Was it The Street Lawyer? I read it but don't remember all the details.
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