Rating:  Summary: Don't waste your time or your money on this book! Review: This Grisham Christmas fairy tale was a big disappointment. The story of Nora and Luther Krank's (could he choose better names for his characters?) decision to "skip Christmas" was a slow read from beginning to end. Travel plans, nasty, controlling neighbors and a pollyanna ending was laughable. This book would never have been published in the first place had it not been written by Grisham. He should stick to the type of writing he does best. Christmas "fairy tales" are NOT Grisham's strength!
Rating:  Summary: Perfect Holiday Story! Review: I loved this book, I think my new tradition will be to read this book and watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! The two together have me laughing hysterically. I really liked Luther and Nora and can imagine them being my next door neighbor. They were two people that had done the Christmas thing year after year and wanted something different. Everyone wants that, but this year it backfired. Everything was so classic, the office party, the calendar and fruitcake sales, the shopping, the food and the tree. Luther handled it all so well. However, when it all boils down, Christmas is all about family, friends and holiday cheer. Totally enjoyable book.
Rating:  Summary: You might want to skip this book Review: Any fan of Grisham's legal thrillers might be disappointed by this, but if you are looking for a sentimental holiday book, you might enjoy "Skipping Christmas." It is sappy and predictable, but the mesaage is a valid one--to remember the true meaning of Christmas and cherish family and friends. It's a cute story and is a quick read, so borrow it from a friend.
Rating:  Summary: Christmas spirit? Review: In "Skipping Christmas" Grisham is totally unrealistic about how any normal person or community might react because one couple decide to go on a cruise. The reaction of the community was, I thought, very mean spirited and totally lacking in the true meaning of Christmas. To not advise their daughter of their plans is also totally unrealistic. While this was a mildly pleasant "read" I found it predictable and drawn-out. Though a short book, I found myself wanting the author to get to the point. Even the ending does not make you feel that it is a community of which you would want to be a part. Skip "Skipping Christmas" and reread Barbara Robinson's, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
Rating:  Summary: what a piece of ... Review: Don't be taken in by this book and the people who love it. It's 45 minutes of reading time that you'll never get back!The main themes of this story are (1) all men are ultimately controlled by henpecking wives and neighbors (cute huh?), (2) it's impossible to skip christmas (how could you even think such a thing?), (3) neighbors actually care whether you put a plastic frosty on your roof or not, and (4) christmas isn't christmas unless you have a turkey and all the traditional trappings...That is all I have to say.
Rating:  Summary: A Wonderful Holiday Book! Review: A wacky idea -- skipping Christmas. Lots of laughing out loud with a few pulls at the heart strings. John Grisham has written, for us, a modern day "It's A Wonderful Life."
Rating:  Summary: Oh My G-D! its Horrible! Review: When you finish reading all you can think about is why the author didn't skip chapter 3-18 and go straight to the end. the "heart" of the book is so boring and predictable you will not believe you actually spent your time on it. Such a dissapiontment. maybe grisham should stick to the law books. the story just develops nowhere. an absalout waste of time if you ask me!
Rating:  Summary: Nice change of pace Review: John Grisham is such a great writer. He knows exactly how to keep you interested throughout the whole book. It's a nice change of pace from most of his other law themed books. I found Skipping Christmas a very easy read. A great book to read over the weekend, perfect size!
Rating:  Summary: Tedious in Spots, but Fun at the End Review: While it isn't Dostoyevsky or Dickens, neither is it the usual pulp that Grisham has been putting out lately (at least it's not Testament). This would make a good TV Christmas movie (are you reading this PAX-TV?) and that TV movie would be a classic. Scrooge could take Bah Humbug! lessons from Luther Krank. Krank certainly tries to give them to his wife, but fortunately they don't take hold as the daughter's phone call proves. She's come home after a month in Peru, happily engage to a young doctor. Seemingly, she's fallen head over heels in love, but the ending proves she's got her head on straight about that, too. Krank has alienated everyone in the neighborhood but his daughter coming home for Christmas proves that friendship and family and neighbors are thicker than snow getting everyone (including the police, paramedics, and firefighters) to help out and fill the house for the traditional party. Actually, love wins out for the Krank gives a typical Christmassy Scroogelike response to his neighbors' generosity even if he doesn't make a complete turn around (actually that seems more realistic).
Rating:  Summary: Pleasant Christmas Story Review: Luther Krank is sick of Christmas and all of it's commercialism. Many people feel that way, though few people go to the extremes he does to avoid the excess and indulgence of Christmas. While the story is appealing, the characters are not well fleshed out and seem more like cartoons. Luther is the angry, bitter man. His daughter is the free-spirit. His neighbors are overbearing Christmas-lovers. All of this makes a cute story less enjoyable. It's still a pleasant read. Consider this the opposite of a beach read--a nice book to doze off with in front of the fireplace.
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