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Summary: A humorous look and the frenzy of Christmas
Review: John Grisham presents Skipping Christmas as a season of joy and much celebration, through an entirely different perspective. Skipping Christmas shows us just how insanely chaotic the holiday has become.
Luther, a grumpy accountant, and Nora, his obliging wife, are the Kranks, a wealthy couple who have a beautiful daughter named Blair off in Peru and a season of restlessness, headaches and mayhem fast approaching. So, Luther, who hates christmas comes up with an idea, to skip the holidays all together; to skip the crowded malls, hectic schedules and enormous bills, $6100, and take a cruise down to the Caribbean, Island Princess. However, there is only one problem, their neighbors. Being that the Kranks' house will be the only one on Hemlock Street without a Frosty on the roof, or even a Christmas tree, the neighbors are horrified and you will laugh out loud as the Kranks go through the pressures to conform and finally conclude in a tense, yet comical ending.
This is not one of the funnniest story i ever read. Skipping Christmas is quick and fun and can be enjoyed by even teenagers like myself. It is a delightfully amusing book for those who understand the chaos and that have become a part of American holiday tradition.
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Summary: wonderful book enjoyed by everyone
Review: This is the cutest book. I am getting a copy for everyone! It is so entertaining and a quick, enjoyable read.
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Summary: Must read
Review: After reading this book when it first came out I gave it as Christmas presents to friends and relitives. It truly is a joy to read with great humor for all.
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Summary: K's Review
Review: Skipping Christmas is a really good book. It is short and to the point. Has a wonderful twist at the end and is heartfelt and enjoyable. I will say it is not the most interisting most adventurious or most gripping books i've read, but I really did enjoy it. I could sit down and read it in a day. The reader doesn't do much thinking in this book, but on a large scale the issue at hand makes a suprising impact. (Especially since i read it on December 3rd) The characters are delightfully average and really hit home. Like i said before i liked this book. It was corkey, fun, and an overall nice story.
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Summary: A delightful little tale
Review: Skipping Christmas is a wonderfully invigorating little tale from Grisham - and most people who think differently seem to be missing the point. They seem to be expecting serious literature, either that or they are Grisham fans disappointed because this is not a legal thriller and is nothing like one. Of course its not! This claims to be nothing, not literature, not a legal thriller. And just because this is a departure from Grisham's style does not mean it is a bad book in any way. Because it is not what you're expecting does not merit a negative review. The preconceieved notions that people come to before they begin a book can spoil it entirely for them...This is, basically, the story of a couple who, their daughter having gone away to do chairty work in Peru, decide to give themselves a break; to skip Christmas for this year, save the money and go on a small cruise instead. However, they've not bargained for the attitudes of their neighbours... This is a lovely little story, wonderfully crafted, simply but well-told in Grisham's normal ludicrously-easy-to-digest prose. It shouldn't take you much more than a couple sittings, short as it is. It may not be literature, but it does actually really make you think. Some of Grisham's observations are slightly facile, but that doesn't mean they aren't valid or true. Indeed, they are the same observations most people make every single day to one another. This develops into quite a complex tale, actually. It takes on kindness, community spirit, diverging from the pack, and, of course, the commerciality of Christmas and, in the end, reveals a simple yet warm heart. It's got a little suspense, too, in the "Will they or won't they make their cruise?" aspects of the story. This is a lovely little read, ideal for the run-up-to Christmas. Ideal for anyone. Anyone at all. Amusing and entertaining, people with sympathetic characters, it should serve as the perfect relaxation for anyone who wants to take a little break from all the bustle of Christmas preparation! Read it, and judge it entirely as what it is: a good little story to at least make you reconsider some of the routines of Christmas.
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Summary: Great, fast read when you need some humor
Review: This book was a great read. It was fast and funny. It's different from other Grisham books as it is not about lawyers. It's great how all the characters are over the top and how their situation gets worse as Christmas approaches. This book is a definite recommend.
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Summary: Fun Book - Stop Taking It So Seriously
Review: I find that the negative reviewers have missed the point that this is just a fun little story about how commercialized Christmas has become. This is not a story to take too seriously - the characters are intentionally over-the-top and the situation is supposed to be overly silly just to emphasize the point that people who take Christmas very seriously are silly themselves.
Most of us don't live on a street that competes with other streets to win the best light display but many of us have seen them. Initially, our impression is wonder and awe at the grandiose displays. But then reality sets in and we think about the type of people who would engage in such meaningless contests. We think - aren't they taking this a little too far? Can they sleep at night with all the "festivities" and attention. And most importantly, would I ever want to live on a street like this? Could I escape if I did? Welcome to the Krank's world. What was once a peaceful community has now become obsessed with Christmas. Look around you though, how many obligations do you have that you wish you didn't have to deal with? Would you really be able to tune everything out or would the guilt and pressure of Christmas obligations ultimately prevail?
In short, this book pokes fun at how we have become obsessed with trivialities that have nothing to do with what Christmas is supposed to be about. At the same time, it has a cute message that speaks about Christmas spirit and what it is supposed to be about, not what it has actually become.
It's a well written satire with an interesting commentary about the world we live in. This is a fun book that shouldn't be taken too seriously. Anyone who does probably takes Christmas too seriously and has missed the whole point of why this book is funny. I laughed out loud many times. This book is very funny if you just lighten up.
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Summary: A WORTHY GRISHAM HOLIDAY READ
Review: After careful calculation, Luther and Nora Krank realize they spend approximately $6100 on Christmas each year. With their only daughter off to Peru via the Peace Corps, they decide to save their money, buy none of the usual trimmings, including gifts, and take a cruise for the holidays. A great idea until everyone gets all righteous and nosey on them. Sounds like the perfect plan until a few unanticipated curves spin their way. Their daughter returns unexpectedly with a betrothed and a sick set of neighbors tug on their heart strings. It's no Christmas Carol, but it is a decent holiday Grisham story to while away an afternoon by the fire. At a mere 177 page you can finish the book some lazy Saturday or Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas and put yourself in the holiday mood. Worthy of holiday reading.
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Summary: Dull - with a splash of racism
Review: I found the story predictable - a made-for-TV-movie script - except for the slightly disturbing ending. The Kranks are worried that their daughter is marrying a Peruvian, though their worries are slightly mitigated by the fact that he did his training in London. And, when they meet him, they're relieved to find out "he isn't dark at all!" Phew! Grisham doesn't put this in as a comment on the Kranks but as a genuine aspect of their happy ending. Hmmm... food for thought.
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Summary: A good seasonal piece
Review: I bought this when it first came out, after realizing I hadn't actually read a new Christmas story since grade school. I'm not sure what I expected, but the book is entertaining and the characters are fairly amusing. I'm not a fan of Grisham's more well-known works, but if they aren't your preferred reading material, don't compare those with this book. This story will (hopefully) never be a holiday TV cartoon, but it's worth offering to everyone in the family for at least one read-through.
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