Skipping Christmas

Rating:
Summary: Grisham Attempts Sitcom & Fails
Review: It's rare that I don't finish a book that I've bought, but this was one of those. After it got to a point of total non-believability, much like a ridiculous sitcom in which the characters dig their own holes, I slammed the book shut and gave it to someone else. There are too many real stories, with characters and plot development and great writing, waiting in my library. This could have been a snappy, tautly-written commentary on misplaced values, but instead it was a draggy story of predictable (but not very realistic) human behavior. It was hard to like a single character or care what happened to any of them.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buck the trend!
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect from Grisham, with this work being very different than his usual writing. But I couldn't put it down as I found it to be very exciting and funny. It flows very well from one paragraph to the next, and from one chapter to the next. I was really curious to find out how one family would try to avoid the Christmas celebrations. A great and light read, if you just want to get away from the everyday hubbub.

Rating:
Summary: Have Yourself a Merry (?) Little Christmas....
Review: O-kay, let's be honest. This book is not going to win any literary awards, but that doesn't mean it lacks charm. Take the book for what it's worth....a very short, semi-charming, little Christmas tale. I laughed at cranky Luther, could associate the goody-goody neighbors with people I know, and although the book lacks character depth, in the end you get a little lesson of the "meaning" of the holidays. I wouldn't pay 20 bucks for the book, but wouldn't mind a trip to the library for it.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: Although this is not typical John Grisham, edge of your seat writing, I thought this book took a humorous look at what we put ourselves through every Christmas. On man's quest to skip Christmas - can he actually pull it off with the rest of the caroling world practically knocking down his door?

Rating:
Summary: Comic Relief
Review: This is a very fun, light and unusual book. With everything being so serious now, the last thing we need is another solemn, dignified, law "thriller". (Nothing against Grisham's other books. They're not bad.)You don't have to put much thought into this lighthearted romp, and the moral is simple. The surprise at the end, of course is makes you realize that you actually cared about the characters. You will probably find out what the surprise is if you read the reviews by all the readers below, because they describe every little detail in the story (including the ending) so trust me & free yourself from the stack of reviews below, so should you choose to purchase this book, the little voice in the back of your head won't plague you, singing "You know the ending. You know you do. You know exactly what is going to happen. In fact...."

Rating:
Summary: Fun Book, but I have a QUESTION
Review: I bought this book as a gift for my daughter, then decided to read it myself. I enjoyed it, and identified with the main characters.
However, I have a question for any of you out there who also read this book; what was the significance of the character "Marty"? Remember, Nora met him in the grocery store and could not remember his name. He seemed to know her and also Blaire. He later came to their party and sang songs with the new son in law. He was described as having an "orange and grey beard".
His name was only mentioned as being overheard when he introduced himself to someone at the party. HELP! This is driving me nuts, is there a sub-plot here?
Thanks,
Margaret

Rating:
Summary: If Christmas is a frustrating time for you...
Review: If Christmas is a frustrating time for you, then you will really enjoy this book. I've always been frustrated by the commercialization of Christmas, as well as the expectations that I decorate my house, send a card to everyone I've ever met, etc. I found this book to be hilarious, and if you're like me, you will too. I wasn't thrilled by the "surprise" (which is given away in many of the reviews below), which is why I subtracted one star from my rating. Sure, it's not a classic Grisham legal thriller, but it was a fun diversion, a quick read, and left me smiling during another frustrating Christmas season.

Rating:
Summary: A lesson in messin' with the system
Review: I think it's always a lot of fun and very interesting when an author tries something different from his/her norm. This book was a Christmas gift from my daughter, I read it after a hectic Christmas and really enjoyed it. The main characters were snooty but not so much that you'd want to slap them. They really had heart, too. Being of their age myself, I can sympathize with their need to break from tradition. Their last minute solution to their "problem" of no Christmas and no party was the funny part. It was a fast, easy read, perfect for sitting by the cozy fire in the fireplace watching the needles drop from the tree you're heartily sick and tired of looking at!

Rating:
Summary: A Successful Sortie By Grisham Into Light Socratic Satire
Review: John Grisham is to be congratulated. He has made a successful sortie into light sitire. What's even better, as his mind is so fertile and creative, I sense that he didn't spend years figuring out how to do so without risking his reputation. What a simple and interesting weave of a question (has Christmas become a pain?) that can run the entire spectrum of peoples' philosophies on character and life in America. Speaking of character and life in America, I (Norman Thomas Remick) am humbled to learn that many John Grisham readers have made a sortie into light philosophical nonfiction and have read my book, "West Point", Norman Thomas Remick. As "Skipping Christmas" should become a perennial best seller, "West Point" is becoming a standard for all those who care about character and life in America -- and perhaps philosophize about skipping Christmas.

Rating:
Summary: Very good and a fast read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Though I thought the wife and the daughter did not apperciate the father