Rating: 
Summary: 'Skipping Christmas' cannot be skipped!
Review: Skipping Christmas has got to be one of the funniest books I've ever read. You'll be laughing the whole way through at the dispense of poor Luther, who is sick of everything Christmas. He hates traffic, presents, ham, turkey, parties, fruit cake, and decorations. All he wants is to skip Christmas altogether. An amazing accomplishement for Grisham. A Must-read book!
Rating: 
Summary: Go to the Library
Review: I will keep this short and simple:
A fun, quick read but save your money and check it out from the library.
Rating: 
Summary: different
Review: not having read much of mr grishams work before I didn't know what to expect. I was thouroughly delighted by the characters and the theme for this story. He took an odd situation, with lots of challenges, and brought it to an only conclusion that could happen. Everyone should be so lucky!!!
Rating:
Summary: Christmas is cancelled--or is it?
Review: Skipping Christmas is the first Grisham book I have read. It was a delightful story of the Kranks, who are suddenly empty nesters faced with their first Christmas without their daughter.
When Luther Krank hatches a plan to skip Christmas, the stage is set for mayhem and fun.
Factor in a neighborhood where everyone knows what everyone else is doing, and a bewhildered wife, and you have the makings of a truly great story.
I was able to read this book in 2 hours--it's a fast read, but is quite realistic. You get the feeling that you are actually *in* the neighborhood. You wonder about the mindset of people like Luther Krank. I rate this book at 5 stars for the fact that it is a sweet book with a surprise twist. Marguerite Nico
December 12, 2001
Rating: 
Summary: Skipping "Skipping Christmas"
Review: NOTE: If there was a minus one star I would have chosen that. It seems you will either love or hate this little "story." I just wanted to LIKE it, but alas, its insipid story and two-dimensional characters kept reminding me of an episode of some moronic TV sit-com. I cannot believe an author of Grisham's talent and storytelling ability would come up with a piece of tripe like this. It has all the earmarks of a bunch of publishing suits wanting to create a "Christmas Classic". Who is this book aimed at? Obviously people who drive Lexuses, who live in some kind of mind-controlled neighborhood, who are wealthy with more money than they know what to do with, who spend upwards of six to ten thousand dollars a year on Christmas folderol, and whose personal values are thoroughly selfish and self-serving. Sorry, John, I don't relate to that world. I don't relate to the valueless Christmas or even the kind of sketches you call characters. There is absolutely no self-reflection or self-enlightenment that comes through the "events" this story tries to tell. This is not a satire, nor is it a parable of modern values, nor is it even a good read - it is a clear example of a good first or second draft of something that may have potential if you got rid of the characters, the story, the dialog and the idea. Even the ending (a feeble attempt to be Frank Capra-like) is contrived and maudlin. Skip this book... save your money. Better yet, find a good charity and donate the money you would have spent on this waste of paper and ink.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable reading
Review: I picked this book up on a whim while at Costco. I read it quickly; in one day, I think. I could relate to each and every feeling of the Kranks. Wanting to stop the world and jump off even if it were for just 10 days. I LOVE Christmas passionately but I work at keeping it fun, believable, nearly stress-free and family-centered. It's so easy to want to experience everything and become almost inflexible about how holidays should be. I was really hoping that the Kranks would get to experience their cruise. However, when you have children, you will scale Mount Everest for them. Life is precious and uncertain, especially these days. This book I will keep and re-read during the holidays to remind me of the simple kindnesses of people that you don't always realize until you need help.
Rating:
Summary: Good Beginning, Silly Ending
Review: This one gave me mixed feelings. The beginning was great but the last part almost forced me to put it down. I found myself completely agreeing with the absurdity of Christmas spending and decadent traditions. There's a lot to relate to in the first part of the book. The middle takes a disturbing twist with the subtle and overt coercion of the protagonists (the Kranks). I wanted to tell the Krank's neighbors and friends to "cram it with walnuts." Unfortunately, the last part takes a frustrating turn into absurdity. The marathon events during the last day are completely unbelievable. The "rescue" and heartstring ending is a bit predictable but makes for a warm finish. "A Painted House" was a refreshing and wonderful tale about simple life. This story, however, is not nearly as compelling. It's a decent quick read but is not on my recommended list.
Rating:
Summary: Quick Read
Review: When Blair Krank leaves home for a year in Peru, her parents realize that Christmas just won't be the same this year. Luther Krank, a tax accountant, calculates that last year Christmas cost them $6,100 and decides that this year the Kranks should skip the Christmas festivities altogether and take a Caribbean cruise instead. With the cruise booked and word out that they won't be celebrating this year, the Krank's begin to prepare for their departure on 25 December but what they aren't prepared for is the reaction of their friends and neighbors who are determined that they won't skip Christmas that easily. But, when 'disaster' strikes the neighbors all pull together and show that they really are full of the Christmas spirit. This short novel is a quick and funny read. I recommend it to anyone whether you love Christmas or can think of nothing better than skipping Christmas yourself. Also read "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Wisdom" by Taro Gold.
Rating:
Summary: Not impressed.
Review: I got this book hoping that it would help me get into the spirit of Christmas. It only served to get me in an even worse frame of mind. I agreed with the Krank's decision at first but then felt very let down as the book continued. If John Grisham was trying to convey the spirit of Christmas, he failed in my eyes. I just thought the whole thing was a little too contrived. I know the author is trying to spread his wings but this was not a good attempt. Just another commercial ploy to sell books (he got my money). Maybe he should just stick to what he does best-thrillers. The shelves are filled with wonderful, heartwarming stories of the holiday spirit and those struggling to find it, this book should not be a part of them.
Rating:
Summary: Skip Christmas, that¿s un-American.
Review: The Kranks have decided to take a cruise this year and just skip Christmas altogether. Is that possible in a neighborhood that holds their plastic Frosty the snowmen hostage till once a year when each and every person on the street climbs up on his roof and lashes him to their chimney? When Luther Krank refuses to take part in the yearly Christmas contest for the most decorated street, he opens a can of worms, and it looks like there is no going back. There will be no office Christmas parties and no big Christmas Eve bash at their house. No lights, no tree, no cards, not a thing to remind them of Christmas. At the last minute their daughter calls to say she is flying home from the Peace Corps to introduce them to her fiancé and show him a good old-fashioned American Christmas. All of a sudden Christmas is on and the last minute production will have you rolling in your seats. All I can say is thank goodness Scrooge had neighbors. The beginning of this book was irritating and the characters were far from likable but the last 100 pages redeemed the story. It was a fun Christmas read. I read it in two short sittings.
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