Rating:  Summary: Waste of time Review: Reading Skipping Christmas is like waiting for a really bad joke teller to stumble through to the punch line when you already know what the punch line is. The book is filled with flat characters, moronic dialog and a plot so painfully obvious it would have a tough time passing muster for a sitcom. Don't waste your time.
Rating:  Summary: Boring Review: I have been a John Grisham fan since his first book. Although some are better than others, "The Testament" being my favorite, this was a huge disappointment. I found the characters to be nothing more than annoying and, although once I start a book I read it to the conclusion, I couldn't wait for this book to end. Thank goodness it wasn't a lengthy volume; I might have had to change my commitment to finish every book I start. I didn't find the characters to be real people; I can't believe anyone would act as they did. Mr. Grisham, stick to lawyer books!!
Rating:  Summary: It was fun Review: I thought it was a blast. Just a light-hearted look at life around the holidays. I would have finished it sooner, but I was too busy decorating my Christmas tree!
Rating:  Summary: All the wrong reasons Review: What a terrible Christmas book! Everyone is motivated by all the wrong reasons and no one changes. Everyone is hateful to the Kranks and they are hateful in return. They skip Christmas to save money. They then have Christmas to help their daughter catch a husband. People on their street decorate grimly--not out of a sense of celebration but rather one of duty. When Krank breaks step they don't throw off the shackles, but urge him to get back in step. One of his neighbors calls the cops on him. Charitable people doing good works are seen as con men. The Boy Scout leader gouges him when he has to buy a tree at the last minute. He and his wife seem to be engaged in a war. I feel like I've been ripped off. Thanks John! What a "nice" Christmas message!
Rating:  Summary: Insulting to the mind Review: Personally, I thought the concept of the book would be a light hearted boost to the holiday season. However, I found Grisham to be continuing his downward spiral in his profession. The story took one pathetic turn after another leaving you with the feeling that "the main characters" were not the crazy ones, but the rest of the world was. I don't believe human nature to be as shallow as Grisham seems to make us feel. If a new author on the scene had tried to push this book past a publisher, he would have had a dumpster full of rejection notices. But of course, the Grisham name sells books even as he continues to crank them out faster than hollywood can make the next movie. Once a huge fan because of his research and detail, now very leary of picking up the next "new" Grisham "tragedy".
Rating:  Summary: CUTE, NO-BRAINER Review: THOUGH QUITE OUT OF CHARACTER FOR GRISHAM, THIS STORY WAS A PLEASANT DIVERSION. IT WAS AMUSING ENTERTAINMENT FOR A RAINY AFTERNOON AND A GOOD SOURCE OF BELLY-LAUGHS. I LIKED THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEPTH (NO DEEP, DARK UNDERCURRENT) AND NO SINISTER SUB-PLOTS TO CONFUSE THE READER....JUST WITTY DIALOGUE AND GIGGLE-PRODUCING DEVELOPMENTS. A REALLY FUN, UNPRETENTIOUS PLOT WITH FEEL-GOOD HUMOR--WORTH IT!
Rating:  Summary: A Quick Happy Read Review: Never skip Christmas, it could happen as the book,you should never risk it.Having lived in suburbia in the sixtys and again in the mid 80's I had to laugh aloud. I see the one upmanship still happens,of course,that is the basis of the story. A great little story,it assures me that our decision to live rural was a very good one. I did feel this was far off Grisham's usual.I had to wonder if his name was there but he was not the 100 percent Author.
Rating:  Summary: Merry fun for a Merry Christmas Review: As a huge Grisham fan, I'll read anything he writes. I have always preferred his more traditional courtroom novels, and bought "Skipping Christmas" expecting that it probably wouldn't be as good. I was wrong. It was just as good as most of his courtroom novels and was a perfect afternoon's laughfest. Who knew this guy could write such fabulous comedy? Actually, I did -- his comedy is really quite good in places in some of his other books. But this one is an out and out sitcom and enjoyable from beginning to end. One word of warning. The book gets off to a slow start. I would call it more "amusing" than downright funny for the first half. Then a specific event occurs which starts the laughs flowing, and it's hysterical from there. So for those who may have started this book and put it down a few pages in, you really owe it to yourself to give the book another try.
Rating:  Summary: Gag! Review: If you've got money to waste, treat yourself to something else. Grisham should be ashamed of charging for this subliterate drivel.
Rating:  Summary: Who *is* Marty Whatshisname? Review: A plethora of reviewers have already told you the plot. All I want to add is, picture this: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn as the elder Kranks, Ashley Judd as Blair, and Jimmy Smits as Enrique. Wouldn't it have been a hoot?!P.S. No, there are no lawyers or courtroom intrigue here. Grisham tells an endearing, and my bet is enduring, tale outside his regular genre. Don't wait `til next Christmas to enjoy it!
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