Rating:  Summary: Grisham doesn't live up to his name Review: The whole idea of the novel was a good one considering it was John Grisham. I liked the novel as it took off but also got a bit lagging and boring. The book was also one of the big hits in the literature industry but as more and more people read the book, they figure out what it's really about. Luther and Nora Krank, the parents who decide to skip Christmas, love and sacrifice their trip for their daughter Blair. I think that Blair is on of the characters that I enjoyed because she seemed to changed the novel and give it a big kick about the book.
Rating:  Summary: 'Skipping Grisham' Review: When you picked up a Grisham book until before last year, you anticipated edge of the seat excitment and a fastpaced, masterful courtroom drama. Not so now!I am disappointed with Grisham. Why throw away the good will he has built over the years? People are still reading this book out of habit of picking up the latest Grisham, but it is nowhere as good a read as his previous books. The length is disappointing too for the price. The story is stale and the book certainly does not deserve to be on the best seller lists. This one is purely commercial folks! Coming right at Christmas Time too! Just a very average book that would have gone unnoticed had it been written by another less well known author. If you love the original Grisham, Skipping Christmas then, is a book to skip altogether.
Rating:  Summary: Grisham reader who loves the deviation to a lighter theme Review: This was a quick read for me, I bought it @ 2:30 PM and finished it by 5:30PM, with some interruptions. I wasn't certain what to expect because I rarely preview the covers previous to starting my read, I just delve in! I thoroughly enjoyed John Grisham's break from his usual subject matter. The humour and thought he used to breach this subject and plunge to the depths of the 'Christmas Crunch' had me laughing and visualizing this comedy. He had me from the start, wondering what he was trying to convey and just exactly where Krank was taking the audience. I can see this short story becoming the next 'Christmas Movie'. Mr. Grisham has had many of them go to film and I can actually see Kelsey Grammer (Frazier) as the Krank himself!! The way the guy ends up when attempting to 'Frosty' his home had me rolling, along with his neighbors. His means of acquiring a tree, so late in the season, was a stroke of 'idiotic' genius. How the neighborhood reacts to the Krank's skipping Christmas, being completely bewildered and taken aback by it was hilariuos and oh so true to life. I have to say thanks for the laugh and the true to life story!! Very funny, and the touching action in the end was truely an author-itative touch! Take it to film, PLEASE, it'll be a hit! BRAVO!!!!
Rating:  Summary: Why didn't Grisham use a pseudonym? Review: Other than to boost sales, I don't feel that Mr. Grisham should be proud of this one. About half way through this brief book, I just wanted it to be over. If you want either a fun or an uplifting Christmas novel, look elsewhere
Rating:  Summary: What's wrong with our society? Review: I'm not sure how anyone could give this book a good rating. I was annoyed thoughout the entire book and wondered how any reader could think the behavior of the neighbors and friends (and many times the wife) was appropriate and acceptable. The message tells me that if you don't do what your friends and neighbors want you to do...especially when it comes to Christmas...they will treat you with hatred and disdane until they can bring you around to their way of thinking. If the majority of our society truly believes that taking a break from the madness of Christmas is this atrocious of an idea, I'm very worried about the direction we are heading.
Rating:  Summary: The Best Christmas Book Ever! Review: I read this book right before Christmas when my own family was caught up in the rush of Christmas. It was very comforting to have something that was humorous and enjoyable to read. Luther and Nora Krank live in a typical Suburbia. When they decide to skip Christmas to go on a cruise, their neighbors have a fit. Their daughter just went off to Peru in the Peace Corps to help people in the Peruvian mountains, so they see no need of staying at home and spending $6,100 like they did last year at Christmas. But, their daughter calls to say she's coming home for Christmas and they have to get everything ready the day before Christmas. They even get some help from their cranky neighbors (no pun intended). This was my first Grisham book and I plan to read it every year before Christmas. It's a fresh and relaxing read when you need to take some stress off of the holiday season. Read it and I promise you'll enjoy it!
Rating:  Summary: UNDERCURRENTS OF A MIDDLE AGE CRISIS? Review: FROM READING PREVIOUS REVIEWS AND LISTENING TO A FRIEND'S RAVING ABOUT THIS BOOK, I THOUGHT I'D GIVE IT A TRY. WHAT I FOUND TO BE AN INTERESTING PROPOSITION TURNED OUT TO BE A DISHEARTENING MISADVENTURE. WHILE MR. GRISHAM HAS MOST DEFINITELY ADDRESSED THE MATERIALISTIC SOCIETY IN WHICH WE LIVE, HE HAS ALSO MADE SOME INTERESTING UNDERLYING POINTS, CHIEF OF WHICH, IS THE ESCAPISM THAT WE ALL WANT ON OCCASION, TO PURSUE A DREAM OF A DIFFERENT SORT. I PERSONALLY WAS SADDENED THAT LUTHER'S DREAM DIDN'T GET REALIZED. I ALSO THOUGHT IT QUITE TRAGIC THAT HIS WIFE COULD NOT SEE THE STATE OF DESPERATION THAT HE WAS IN. I DIDN'T FIND MUCH HUMOR IN THIS BOOK. BUT, I DO APPRECIATE THE SELFLESSNESS THAT LUTHER DISPLAYED IN THE END. I CANNOT HELP BUT WONDER IF MR. GRISHAM HAS HIT THE NAIL PERFECTLY ON THE HEAD WITH ALL OF THE UNDERCURRING THEMES. IT JUST SADDENS ME THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD THINK THIS BOOK HUMOROUS.
Rating:  Summary: A new low for Grisham Review: Trite, predictable characters. Predictable plot. Sugar-sweet ending. Just a waste of time and money. He should be embarrassed to publish this under his own name.
Rating:  Summary: Skipping Christmas: Falling Short Review: Looking to Grisham to provide scintillating holiday reading, I was disappointed in SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. The plot was plastic, the characters were shallow, and the usual satisfaction that comes from reading one of his titles was absent. I had to check that it was the same John Grisham who wrote this.
Rating:  Summary: Twas the night before Christmas, not a lawyer in sight Review: I don't know if I'd call this book a Christmas classic any more than I'd call "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" a classic Christmas movie, but, just as I enjoy seeing the antics of the Griswolds every December, I'm sure I will be returning to this book for some light holiday entertainment. And what's wrong with that? By now you know the story: a middle-aged couple faced with celebrating Christmas without their daughter who joined the Peace Corps and was shipped off to South America decide to sign up for a Christmas cruise and skip all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Of course, that's easier said than done, as pressure from friends, neighbors, merchants, and civic charity groups threatens to wear down their resolve. They certainly can't get away with skipping Christmas....can they? This is certain to become a movie showing at a theater near you for the Christmas of 2003 or 4.
|