Customer Reviews

Testament

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book is very disturbing. Early in David's career he wrote stories where the hero didn't always win, and the line between the heros and the villains was much less easily seen.

Interestingly enough this book is somewhat 'hypothetically autobiographical' (I think I made that up). The story involves a character who is a writer who has studied survival skills for his first book (like David did for First Blood) and is then put into a situation where his life and his families depend on those skills. And it's not just survival skills like living off the land and finding shelter, it's dealing with weapons and booby traps and also how to evade a pursuer.

Considering the somewhat disturbing turns of events in the book it makes the autobiographical nature seem a little odd. Suffice it to say that I understand that David's wife did not like that the book depicted them so well in light of the direction the story takes. I think for that aspect the book is fascinating.

FYI, this book was not actually written in 1993 as the publication date suggests but was actually written in 1975 and was David's second book after First Blood.

If you like good suspense and action, and David always delivers on both fronts, then you should try this book.

This is the first time I have ever reviewed anything on the internet, I gues I never felt the passion that I feel about this book. There seems to be alot of mixed review of this book which surprises me. I remember the first time I ever read this book, I was interrupted by an exam I had to take and had to set down the book for several months. After finally getting back to the book months later, I picked up where I left off, to my surprize I remembered every last detail. It is just one of those books that creaps up on you and won't let you be. It has been a good 7 years since I read it and I have to say it is still the best novel I have read to date. I am a big fan of David Morrell, but this novel is the leader of the pack. To start off it has by far the most shocking oppenner I have ever read in any book and the ending leaves you thinking. Out of all the books I've read this one stands out the most, definately Unforgettable. I still to this date remember the book, and every scene vividly.

This book is extremely fast paced and somewhat disturbing. It is one of those page turners that keeps you up all night reading and tired at work the next day. The introduction by Morrell makes you wonder about the stories ending. It's ending is unexpected and if you go back and read the last 2 or 3 paragraphs of the introduction, you have something that keeps you thinking about the book for 2 or 3 days. I highly recommend this book and any other book written by Morrell

This thrilling and captivating story caught my interest after the first sentence.This is truely a great story of a man struggling to keep himself and his family alive and away from the wrath of a 'violent enemy'. This book is very well written and at the turn of each page you remain spellbound! So involved with this book, I found myself regretting to put it down. You soon find yourself getting wrapped up in David Morrell's plot and you may end up putting off everything in your life just to find out how Reuben Bourne intends to keep his family safe, without being able to trust a living soul....

From the first few pages this book draws you into a story that will haunt you at night and make you check on your children at all hours "just to be sure". A roller coaster ride of emotions and anger that will leave you wanting to put the book down, but unable to stop.

The ending is at once disturbing and unexpected. A departure for Morrell but one worth experiencing.

From the very first page, literally, this was the best book I have ever read. Totally "unputdownable"!!! The ending may not be what you like, but it's unexpected, and good. This book, as well as any so called "classic", does a superb job of exploring the human condition from many different angles, religion, race, love, loyalty, desperation . . . It is also NONSTOP ACTION. Read this book, and miss a night's sleep . . . it's worth it!!!

This book starts off real strong.......then it gets a bit unbelievable as the main character, a writer, becomes the best frontiersman ever...comes across a ghost town no one knows about ...... complete with a stranger who lives there of course ....... then the ending falls completely flat. Disappointing for a book that did start off with such a compelling (if disturbing) beginning, especially for a reader with a older daughter and a baby son.

Just Incredible! I recommend this book to anyone who has a tough time getting fictionally jolted, this one will shake you up and turn you inside out! THIS...THIS IS POWERFUL LITERATURE! Thank You Dave

Having had a grad seminar from Morrell way back in the '70's at the U of IA, this was based largely on G. Household's "Rogue Male". Also, notice how "Rambo II" riffs on R Stone's "Dog Soldiers" - which I am proud to say I introduced him to. I'm about to go back to read Testament after many many years - and "Rogue Male" (made into a decent movie back in the '30's).

This is a depressing and disappointing book from a really great author. I'm sorry I read it. If you want to believe that there is good in the world, or that adversity can be overcome, do your self a favor and read any other book by David Morrell. Skip this one.