Testament

I discovered David Morrell via the movie version of First Blood. A tie-in edition came out around the time of the release and soon after I found Blood Oath, new then and released in paperback with similar artwork.

I read somewhere that Testament was a really great thriller and found a nice copy of the 1975 Fawcett paperback edition at my go-to shop, The Book Nook.

The reviews from the cover, like this one, are correct:

"WARNING: Do not read this book alone -- or at night -- or with the doors unlocked." - Worcester Sunday Telegram.

It's a grim and relentless experience, a modern Western that builds to a brutal conclusion and a wrap-up that's heart-wrenching but appropriate.

Testament is the story of journalist Reuben Bourne, and we meet him show more as the first line foretells on "...the last morning the four of them would ever be together: the man and his wife, his daughter and his son."

The family cat's killed by poison, and Reuben quickly learns he's the target of a fanatic named Kess, a businessman heading a chemical and electronics company called Chemelec. (Speaking of milk, if you've never encountered Morrell's chilling short story "Dripping" seek it out in one of his collections or in Best American Noir of the Century.)

Kess is also the head of a militia-style organization, The Guardians of the Republic, a group with ties to many other similar shadowy groups whose numbers, when combined, he says rival that of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The group grew out of a hunting trip in which Kess and friends were accidentally fired on by another hunter. Surrounding the man, they taunted him and fired near misses for a day before relenting.

That's a chilling template for what's in store for Reuben and family.

In articles about militia groups following an interview granted by Kess, Reuben failed to deliver the expected puff piece, so Kess wants revenge.

After another family tragedy, Reuben realizes the authorities can't really help and plots an escape route across brutal Midwestern terrain and forest land. It's all before the internet we know now and long before things like Google Earth, so Reuben's reliant on maps and topographical charts.

That sets up one of the novel's coolest set pieces as he and his family discovered an undocumented ghost town with intact buildings and a surviving resident who offers a bit of aid and comfort.

Kess' men are never far behind, however, and Reuben's soon faced with more violence and a moral dilemma that builds to that conclusion I mentioned before.

It's a perfect thriller, a mature and sober excursion that's still an exciting read and still relevant. show less

One of the most disturbing books I have read. Man hunted by people that feel he betrayed them finds himself in awful situation, witnessing how everything he loves and holds dear is slowly and meticulously taken away in worst possible manner.

At first targeted by insidious poisoning and then chased across the wilderness our hero finds that he is more than capable of surviving but unfortunately he is destined to see his loved ones fall one after another from bullets and unforgiving elements.

Deep tragic story of a man brought to the very edge, ultimately man who decided to remain human being.

You might say that ending is not satisfactory (I think lots of people would like to see Punisher-like slaughter of the criminals) but how many people show more are actually ready to live with the consequences and retain sanity? Entire story is very old-testament (hence the name) but ending is human like. While managing to punish some of the criminals haunting him our hero becomes aware that he has become the very thing that he is fighting against. After coming so close to the edge he decides to return to his life, as it is, and live it in best possible way considering.

Excellent book on revenge and old saying "Before You Embark On A Journey Of Revenge, Dig Two Graves". It comes very close to Count of Monte Cristo but without the happy ending for our hero (did I say it was old-testament-like story?).

In today's world of 0-tolerance and everyone following their own truth and following path of non-conformity above everything above would sound like giving in to the adversaries. But then one might ask himself when is enough just enough? Might sound like cliche but listen to old folk songs (especially old country songs) to give you a hint what happens when passion is not kept in check. Passion .... there is no more dangerous word out there. Whatever is driven by passion/emotion is like a firestorm unleashed, consumes everything. If you do not believe, check Middle East, Balkan and Eastern countries - they've been running eye-for-an-eye concept since the Roman times with just never-ending circles of blood.

One of the best Morrell's book I read. Highly recommended to all action thriller fans. show less

A breathtaking thriller set in the wilderness. Believable, brutal, and bitterly relevant with the current state of society. Start this book early in the day or you'll lose sleep to finish it. Morrell's you-are-there feel proves he thoroughly researched surviving in the wild.

Gripping and full of decently taut prose but really, really bleak.