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Skipping Christmas
by
John Grisham
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from John Grisham's The Confession.
Luther and Nora Krank are fed up with the chaos of Christmas. The endless shopping lists, the frenzied dashes through the mall, the hassle of decorating the tree... where has all the joy gone? This year, celebrating seems like too much effort. With their only child off in Peru, they decide that ...more
Luther and Nora Krank are fed up with the chaos of Christmas. The endless shopping lists, the frenzied dashes through the mall, the hassle of decorating the tree... where has all the joy gone? This year, celebrating seems like too much effort. With their only child off in Peru, they decide that ...more
Mass Market Paperback, 227 pages
Published
March 16th 2010
by Dell
(first published January 1st 2001)
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This review contains spoilers because this book is not worth reading. You have been warned.
The book portrays the over-the-top commercialism that many people live every day, but even more so at Christmas time. A couple tries to skip Christmas and spend the money on a cruise instead. They are ridiculed by their neighbors, office workers, and friends. Everything is going fine until a surprise Christmas Eve phone call from their daughter, who has been in Peru for a month, that she is retur...more
The book portrays the over-the-top commercialism that many people live every day, but even more so at Christmas time. A couple tries to skip Christmas and spend the money on a cruise instead. They are ridiculed by their neighbors, office workers, and friends. Everything is going fine until a surprise Christmas Eve phone call from their daughter, who has been in Peru for a month, that she is retur...more
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I got this book from the libery because there is a movie to and yah i watch it but i aslso read the book and its not that much like the movie but i kept on reading because it got funny and i like funny think because i like to laught alot and i though i wasent going to finish it because i never finish a book but i did with this one.Her parents names nora and luther but i mostly like of the idea of skipping christmas anddoing the total opposite of christmas going somewhere hot insted of stayi...more
Since the Christmas season is close by I've decided to read a few Christams storys. this was one that I was a little afried to pick up. Since the thought of "Skipping Christmas" is a little crazy to me. But I found this book to be very amusing and heart warming.
The two main characters have decided that since thier daughter Blair is off to Lima Peru, that they wont get into the Christmas chaous this year and save not just a little but a whole lot of cash. No lights, no party, no ...more
The two main characters have decided that since thier daughter Blair is off to Lima Peru, that they wont get into the Christmas chaous this year and save not just a little but a whole lot of cash. No lights, no party, no ...more
Honestly, when I got to the ending, I thought "what was the point of this?" The author, it seemed, slapped two different concepts together and as a result, created a very disappointing book.
First half had great potential in the Krunks fighting a losing battle against forced gaiety and the commericialization of Christmas. I was rooting for the Krunks to make it to the end.
Then the daughter decides to come home.
All is lost as they attempt to recreat...more
First half had great potential in the Krunks fighting a losing battle against forced gaiety and the commericialization of Christmas. I was rooting for the Krunks to make it to the end.
Then the daughter decides to come home.
All is lost as they attempt to recreat...more
I'm sad to say that the movie was better than the book. I didn't love the movie...
Truth be told, I've never read a John Grisham novel before this book. So this book made quite an impression. I know that his other books were obviously more serious that this one, but I really liked how this book turned out. Although how they celebrate Christmas here in the US is different than how we celebrate it back home, more or less, it's still the same, being with FAMILY and FRIENDS. And being grateful for the things that we have.
Fast. Fun. Predictable.
I was actually thinking it wasn't such a bad idea. All the money spent on intangible things or things that are forgotten weeks later. Christmas has gotten way out of hand when we spend so much money on food that goes to "waist", gifts that probably aren't what people want most, clothes we won't wear again because we'll have to have new next year, even Christmas cards that we only sign our name so it's not like we're keeping up on the news. And if there is ...more
I was actually thinking it wasn't such a bad idea. All the money spent on intangible things or things that are forgotten weeks later. Christmas has gotten way out of hand when we spend so much money on food that goes to "waist", gifts that probably aren't what people want most, clothes we won't wear again because we'll have to have new next year, even Christmas cards that we only sign our name so it's not like we're keeping up on the news. And if there is ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
IndianaRonaldo
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
light-read,feel-good,christmas
Shelves:
favourites
I am a great fan of feel-good movies, but I was unaware as to the existence of such a genre in books - until now, that is. I am not a Christian myself, hence unaware of the Christmas festivities and the mood that prevails during, but I was able to get a good feel of the how-it-goes while reading this. Who would have guessed the lawyer, who wrote trial thrillers and jury best-sellers was adept at making readers laugh and smile and generally celebrate with such a simple theme.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Lame. Pointless. Pathetic. Unworthy.
Instead of Skipping Christmas, skip this book.
I barely enjoyed the movie and it was way better than the book. I read this ASSuming that the film was based on a funnier, better characterized, more in depth holiday story of a couple attempting and failing to skip Christmas. Wrong. That ASSumption made an ASS out of me and I'm hoping to spare you the same fate.
Every character was as unlikable as the next. The entire presumptuous to...more
Instead of Skipping Christmas, skip this book.
I barely enjoyed the movie and it was way better than the book. I read this ASSuming that the film was based on a funnier, better characterized, more in depth holiday story of a couple attempting and failing to skip Christmas. Wrong. That ASSumption made an ASS out of me and I'm hoping to spare you the same fate.
Every character was as unlikable as the next. The entire presumptuous to...more
"Skipping Christmas", by John Grisham, is an entertaining holiday tale told in a sure, sly manner. This is the story of how Luther and Nora Krank decide to have a radically different holiday when their daughter leaves home to work for the Peace Corps in Peru. Members of a very close-knit community who enthusiastically partake in all things Christmas, the Kranks meet with much resistance to their getaway plan. They tough it out though, with Luther fighting the good fight and Nora going ...more
Like most Christmas tales, there is certainly a lesson to be learned even in a fun book like this one. Down with Christmas! No wait, that’s not the message. Hmm, what could be interpreted from a book that points out the frivolousness spending during Christmas, while making those who avoid those expenditures look like Scrooges?
In all honesty, there really does not seem to be anything bad about skipping the hustle and bustle that is solely centralized around the commercialization of Chri...more
In all honesty, there really does not seem to be anything bad about skipping the hustle and bustle that is solely centralized around the commercialization of Chri...more
In a sentence this book is much ado about nothing. Luther and Nora Krank's daughter leaves just before Christmas for a Peace Corps assignment in Peru. Since they are going to be alone for the holiday for the first time in over 20 years, they decide to go on a cruise instead of celebrating at home. As far as I am concerned that should be the end of the story.
My husband and I have celebrated Christmas alone several times. Once we decided to go to Branson. Big mistake! Don't go there at...more
My husband and I have celebrated Christmas alone several times. Once we decided to go to Branson. Big mistake! Don't go there at...more
I read this as my final novel for the Holiday Reading Challenge hosted by All About {n}.
At first I really liked this novel. I agree with Luther Krank that some people blow Christmas way out of proportion. I mean who would really spend over $300 on custom Christmas card and over $6,000 total on Christmas? I think sometimes it's nice to take a break from all the commercialized aspects of Christmas. They one thing I was worried about in this novel was that by forgetting Christmas in g...more
At first I really liked this novel. I agree with Luther Krank that some people blow Christmas way out of proportion. I mean who would really spend over $300 on custom Christmas card and over $6,000 total on Christmas? I think sometimes it's nice to take a break from all the commercialized aspects of Christmas. They one thing I was worried about in this novel was that by forgetting Christmas in g...more
In November middle aged Luther and Nora Krank wave goodbye to their daughter as she joins the Peace Corps and travels to Peru to help underprivileged children.
As she leaves, Luther decides that since the nest is empty, they will skip Christmas this year and instead they plan a ten day cruise in a warm, sunny location.
While parts of this book are a tad funny, overall, I found it annoying. The characters seemed stuffy, too uppity and ostentatious.
Vowing not to crumble...more
As she leaves, Luther decides that since the nest is empty, they will skip Christmas this year and instead they plan a ten day cruise in a warm, sunny location.
While parts of this book are a tad funny, overall, I found it annoying. The characters seemed stuffy, too uppity and ostentatious.
Vowing not to crumble...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Well written, funny and a little dark.
Amazon.com Review
John Grisham turns a satirical eye on the overblown ritual of the festive holiday season, and the result is Skipping Christmas, a modest but funny novel about the tyranny of December 25. Grisham's story revolves around a typical middle-aged American couple, Luther and Nora Krank. On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving they wave their daughter Blair off to Peru to work for the Peace Corps, and they suddenly realize that "f...more
Amazon.com Review
John Grisham turns a satirical eye on the overblown ritual of the festive holiday season, and the result is Skipping Christmas, a modest but funny novel about the tyranny of December 25. Grisham's story revolves around a typical middle-aged American couple, Luther and Nora Krank. On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving they wave their daughter Blair off to Peru to work for the Peace Corps, and they suddenly realize that "f...more
John Grisham, as most of you know, can really tell a tale. In this short book (less than 200pp) he introduces us to the Kranks, Luther and Nora, and their daughter Blair. Nora is a Christmas queen that loves to do the holidays in a big way...decorations, gifts, the tree, and a huge Christmas Eve party, and they've always done it as a family. This year, however, things are different when Blair enlists in the Peace Corps and flies to Peru the day after Thanksgiving for a year-long assignment.
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Delightful novella, thought provoking, warm fuzzy ending...
Certainly a departure from the "normal" Grisham fare, this nice little Christmas story, easily read in an hour and a half, has a little more substance than we expected. It's about a stereotypical suburban couple, the Kranks (which for a while we thought was a pun), who make the brash decision to forego Christmas in all of its trappings -- gift exchanges, office parties, house lights and adornments, card sending,...more
Certainly a departure from the "normal" Grisham fare, this nice little Christmas story, easily read in an hour and a half, has a little more substance than we expected. It's about a stereotypical suburban couple, the Kranks (which for a while we thought was a pun), who make the brash decision to forego Christmas in all of its trappings -- gift exchanges, office parties, house lights and adornments, card sending,...more
I was just going to skip this book and send it on, but the fact that it is written by John Grisham, and it is "a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of" the "holiday tradition" made me change my mind. Anyway, it is a very quick read, couple of hours so I decided to read it.
I enjoyed it very much as it is quirky, snarky and laugh out loud funny. John Grisham is an accurate observer of, well everything he observes probably. In any case, he writes ...more
I enjoyed it very much as it is quirky, snarky and laugh out loud funny. John Grisham is an accurate observer of, well everything he observes probably. In any case, he writes ...more
What a way to end 2009: reading one of the worst books I've read this year, and I've read some real stinkers. Usually I have to at least contemplate giving one or two stars. I didn't even have to think about how many stars this deserves: one. Well, really zero, but that's not an option here.
Where to begin? First, I did not like a single character. The Kranks were aptly named. The father was surly and touchy and seemed annoyed by the entire world. The mother was weak and whiny. And t...more
Where to begin? First, I did not like a single character. The Kranks were aptly named. The father was surly and touchy and seemed annoyed by the entire world. The mother was weak and whiny. And t...more
This was a humorous, almost satirical look at the craziness of the holiday season. The antics that the Kranks get themselves into had me laughing out loud, and the twist towards the end of the novel had me gasping and thinking, "Oh, SNAP!" However, the middle of it dragged for me and had me wondering if we were ever going to get to the point. And the way that things worked out for the Kranks, while heartwarming and perfect for the season, seemed too abrupt and unbelievable, especially ...more
I read this slight Christmas story as an unabridged audiobook in the balmy month of June. I must say that reading this in the summer did not make me all gushy and wistful for the hectic Christmas season which I suppose is the point of this book.
Luther Krank is quite disgusted by the commercialism of Christmas and the thousands of dollars he wastes every year on the season. This year, since his daughter is out of the country, he decides to skip it altogether and spend the holiday with h...more
Luther Krank is quite disgusted by the commercialism of Christmas and the thousands of dollars he wastes every year on the season. This year, since his daughter is out of the country, he decides to skip it altogether and spend the holiday with h...more
Natal itu pemborosan, dan payahnya uang yang dihambur-hamburkan selama natal nyaris tidak ada bekasnya yang bisa dinikmati di tahun berikutnya. Itu hipotesis utama dari tokoh utama novel ini, seorang akuntan yang cukup pelit tapi rasional. Oleh karena itu ketika anaknya satu-satunya akhirnya bekerja dan meninggalkannya ke Amerika selatan, ia memutuskan untuk 'melewati' natal tahun ini dan mengalihkan budgetnya untuk liburan dengan kapal pesiar ke bermuda. Sayangnya tetangga-tetangga cenderung me...more
John Grisham isn't really well known for writing simple novels. He's mostly known for his legal thrillers (The Firm, A Time To Kill, etc), but he does have a few of the simplier titles as well. I own every book he's written, except for this one and The Appeal. Shockingly, I've never even READ Skipping Christmas and now I'm wondering why. Its a great little story.
Luther & Nora Krank have just sent their daughter, Blair, off to the jungles of Peru for a whole year. And now, after ...more
Luther & Nora Krank have just sent their daughter, Blair, off to the jungles of Peru for a whole year. And now, after ...more
Jodi
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Shelves:
christmas,
read-it-saw-the-movie
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Don't you love when you read a book at the perfect time in your life? Thanksgiving was just a few days ago, and I always find the transition from feeling full and grateful on Thursday to crazed and stressed with Christmas shopping with the hordes on Friday jarring. This year, with the economy in the toilet, I've been even more of a Scrooge, lamenting another year of increased credit card debt and whatnot.
I'm so glad I just finished Skipping Christmas. It starts as Luther and Nora Kra...more
I'm so glad I just finished Skipping Christmas. It starts as Luther and Nora Kra...more
I saw this book in a used bookstore and decided a Christmas story was just what I needed. SKIPPING CHRISTMAS is the tale of Luther Krank, an accountant and his wife Nora. Their daughter Blair is joining the Peace Corps and will be out of the country at Christmas. Without her at home, Luther convinces his wife that they can save money and stress by skipping Christmas and everything associated with it, and take a Caribbean cruise instead. He calculates that they spent over six thousand dollars...more
Not your typical Grisham but a fun holiday book, maybe a bit silly in parts but better than the dreck of Stupidest Angel I read last year.
I bought this last year after the holidays and decided to shelve it and make it one of my holiday pleasures. I was not sure what to expect although I had heard it was turned into a movie, I have not seen it.
After their only child moves to South America for a year the Kranks decide to skip the normal Christmas rush and enjoy themselves ...more
I bought this last year after the holidays and decided to shelve it and make it one of my holiday pleasures. I was not sure what to expect although I had heard it was turned into a movie, I have not seen it.
After their only child moves to South America for a year the Kranks decide to skip the normal Christmas rush and enjoy themselves ...more
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"Long before his name became synonymous with the modern legal thriller, he was working 60-70 hours a week at a small Southaven, Mississippi law practice, squeezing in time before going to the office and during courtroom recesses to work on his hobby—writing his first novel.
Born on February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to a construction worker and a homemaker, John Grisham as a ...more
More about John Grisham...
Born on February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to a construction worker and a homemaker, John Grisham as a ...more
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“Sounds awful."
"No, it's wonderful. And it's just for one year. Let's take a break. Blair's not here. she'll be back next year and we can jump back into the Christmas chaos, if that's what you want. Come on, Nora, please. We skip Christmas, save the money, and go splash in the Caribbean for ten days."
"How much will it cost?"
"Three thousand bucks."
"So we save money?"
"Absolutely."
"When do we leave?"
"High noon, Christmas Day."
They stared at each other for a long time.”
—
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More quotes…
"No, it's wonderful. And it's just for one year. Let's take a break. Blair's not here. she'll be back next year and we can jump back into the Christmas chaos, if that's what you want. Come on, Nora, please. We skip Christmas, save the money, and go splash in the Caribbean for ten days."
"How much will it cost?"
"Three thousand bucks."
"So we save money?"
"Absolutely."
"When do we leave?"
"High noon, Christmas Day."
They stared at each other for a long time.”
