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Summary: A nice light christmas read
Review: I think a book is well written when it accomplishes its goals. This book was obviously intended as a nice, light Christmas read. It achieves this goal admirably. Although many people may be looking for an indictment of the commercialization of Christmas, Grisham's work still finds that under all the money changing, there still is a feeling of community and family and friendship. The book was a very good portrait of upper middle class life in America. If you are thinking of buying the book, the book seems pricey for the amount of content, but, especially at Christmas time, it is nice to have an extremely easy book that you can read in a few short hours.
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Summary: a reader from tennessee
Review: I enjoyed the book. Not typical of John Grisham, but very entertaining. Looking forward to next book in February!
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Summary: Definitely NOT worth a buy
Review: A good storyline, as can be expected from John Grisham, but Skipping Christmas definitely lacks the substance of most of his previous works. It's an easy read as the book is quite short. Worth borrowing a copy but not something you'll go back to if it's on your bookshelf. Skipping Christmas has the feel of a last-minute push by a publisher to "get one in the aisles" before the holiday shopping rush. Save your money.
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Summary: Ho Ho Hum.....
Review: Tax accountant, Luther Krank, is skipping Christmas. His only child, Blair, joined the Peace Corps, left right after Thanksgiving for the jungles of Peru, and won't be around to celebrate the holidays for the first time in her twenty-three years. Luther just spent the evening going over his meticulous records and receipts, and found that the Krank family spent $6,100 on the holiday last year. Outrageous! Well not this year. No gifts, no tree, no decorations, lights, or Frosty the Snowman on the roof, no matter how tough and persistant the neighborhood pressure. No cards or invitations, he's cancelling their annual Christmas eve party, and saying no to the office black tie dinner, parties, fruit cakes, calendars...the list just goes on and on. This year, he's convinced his wife to put all that money to much better use. They're going to skip Christmas and go on a first class, ten day cruise..... Take It's A Wonderful Life, minus the joy and magic, and combine it with an uninspired version of Dicken's, A Christmas Carol, and you'll end up with John Grisham's, Skipping Christmas. This is a short, and readable little tale, with a few good laughs thrown in, that pokes fun at all the commercialism and silliness of the season. With a trite and predictable plot, full of one dimensional cartoon characters, this is definitely not a story that stands the test of time, to be pulled out and read, year after year, as part of the holiday tradition. For Grisham fans expecting legal action, drama, twists and turns, you'll be sorely disappointed. For those of you looking for a fast, light, and distracting couple of hours, Skipping Christmas works just fine.
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Summary: Skipping This Christmas Book
Review: I have always enjoyed reading John Grisham and had no reason to think otherwise until I read this book. As with many "departure" books, this type of story telling is not Grisham's strength. I found the character development good but the story itself lacked depth and the ending was all too predictable. A disappointment for all Grisham fans.
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Summary: How Grisham Stole Christmas
Review: This book was so UNGrishamlike, but had his usual attention holding style. I completely indentified with the whole idea of too much spending at Christmas and it was SOOOOOOOOOO realistic. How many times have you rewrapped gifts and passed them on to someone else or let them hang in the closet when someone else could use them? Skipping Christmas was an adults version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas but had a delightful ending in which the main characters heart grew two sizes that day. Great Christmas story!
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Summary: Grinch Grisham Delivers A Present For Readers
Review: It was the week before Christmas in my little home
I had nothing to read and I was alone;I zipped to the library to see what I could find
and to my great surprise Grishams new book was to be mine; At first I thought ' Ha " if it's here it must be bad
But I grabbed it anyways..it was all that they had; I dashed home to my chair and sat by the fire
Flipped open the book hoping the critics weren't liars; An hour went by and then two more
Before I knew it I had laughed till I was sore; For to my surprise this was a wonderful book
One that deserves just more than a look; This was by far a great story that I believe most of us can relate to at Christmas time. I recommend it highly. I have learned not to be a Grisham snob. Used to be I would only read his books if they were about lawyers. Carole's Corner of the World
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Summary: A Christmas Gift from John Grisham
Review: Traditions are oftentimes difficult to break. One only has to ask Luther and Nora Krank, a middle-class couple in suburban America, who have opted on SKIPPING CHRISTMAS by taking a two week Caribbean cruise aboard the "Island Princess". It is an easy choice for Luther, especially since their daughter Blair has enlisted with the Peace Corps for a two-year mission hiatus in Peru. The tale begins with Blair departing from the airport as the Kranks enter an empty-nest period, resolving that Christmas would not be the same without her. Seizing the opportunity, Luther leads Nora to break tradition and escape the holiday madness that overshadows the real reason for the season. It is an idea many have contemplated from time to time without much forethought; however, Luther has made thorough preparations to see the dream come true. As an accountant, he has estimated that the trip would cost far less than their Christmas expenses from the year before, a whopping $6100, but how far will the Kranks go in SKIPPING CHRISTMAS? This is a well-written gem from the great author, John Grisham, who presents us with a satirical portrait of Americana during the holiday season. It is a concise and simple read, yet utterly profound at the same time as Grisham subjects the reader to sociological implications for breaking timeless traditions. For Luther and Nora, they are as simple as hanging a Frosty on your rooftop or giving to certain seasonal charities; nevertheless, Grisham invites us to contemplate these things as we interact with the characters. Moreover, he adds a spice of holiday magic and good cheer to this realistic view of Christmastime, making it a timeless tale that will be read and (seen?) for years to come, especially during the holiday season. Although SKIPPING CHRISTMAS is a departure from the author's norm, it is a book that should not be "skipped over" by Grisham fans, for this may be one of his best works, making him more than a one-dimensional author. Enjoy this little novel and read it as a gift from John Grisham.
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Summary: What a funny, funny book... my wallet can relate!!!!
Review: Everyone I show this book to say's the same thing right away... "A Grisham book that is only 178 pages?". This is not your normal Grisham book. Its a very cute and funny book!! I can relate to Luther very much when it comes down to seeing how much Christmas really costs, and what we have to show for it. I had trouble not bursting out laughing picturing Luther and his wife hiding behind the curtains from the Christmas Carolers singing 'Frosty the Snowman'! This is a modern version, or modified 'It's a Wonderful Life'. A feel good book of how people can come to aid someone that is in need. I loved the twist of Luther's change of heart at the end. If you are looking for a couple of hours of cute, funny, and heartening reading, I HIGHLY recommend this book!. If you are looking for John Grisham's normal book (i.e. The Firm, or The Partner), you might want to pass.
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Summary: Wonderfully clever
Review: As you can probably tell, this book is totally different from John Grisham's previous novels. It is excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed it - just as much as I have enjoyed his other books. Mr. Grisham proved that he can make a positive contribution to another genre!!! Granted, you will not find 'Skipping Christmas' to be terribly profound, but you will get some good laughs and a few hours of rewarding entertainment. This story is about a couple that decide not to do Christmas this year. They decide they will go on a cruise instead. The story chronicles the couple's frustration of not exactly being allowed to be different and the frustration of their neighbors as they try to understand this strangeness and try to make them change their minds! The ending is terrific and quite funny. Mr. Grisham has given us a very clever and witty story, though it does make you think on certain things (such as, why do the neighbors and townfolk feel they have the right to make this couple feel 'wrong' for choosing not to celebrate Christmas!?) In summary, an absolutely clever and quick book ... I recommend reading it!
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