John Grisham surprises the Barnes and Nobel crowd with this novel of legal suspense and adventure that delivers a solid evangelical message through the genre this lawyer-turned-novelist seems to be perfecting.
In The Testament, best-selling author Grisham draws on his faith and time spent with a Southern Baptist missionary in South America to weave a credible tale of the intersection of lostness with salvation.
His main character is Nate O'Riley, a high-octane Washington litigator whose life is in shambles. Through a series of wild -- and sometimes hilarious -- adventures in Brazil Nate meets Rachel Lane, a woman who eschews a life of wealth and ease for years spent introducing a primitive tribe of Indians to God.
Like Rachel, Nate is on a mission. But his adventure begins when client and billionaire Troy Phelan pens his last will and testament (hence, the title of the novel). Nate's work leads him to Rachel, who clearly presents the truth of another kind of testament --the New Testament.
Readers should be aware that Nate (and other characters, particularly Troy's heirs) are rough around the edges. They are far from saints (although Rachel is portrayed with delicious depth, and her faith and witness are unswerving). Yet Grisham deftly handles the descriptions of worldliness without falling into the trap of gratuitous shock value found in many secular novels. This work is refreshing and real.
And it's a bold conversation starter for people whose favorite indoor sport is reading.
Certainly the argument can be made that a novel with secular situations (even combined with Christian values) should not be read by Christians.
Whether to read it is your prayerful choice.
But, if you do, you may find ways to raise the subject of Christ to non-believers by using a medium and book with which they very well may be familiar. You could explore: Why would Grisham present the gospel? Do readers who don't know Christ as Savior see themselves in Nate and other characters? What questions or comments about sin and redemption does The Testament trigger?