"Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham is a departure from his usual legal thrillers, offering a humorous and heartwarming take on a couple, Luther and Nora Krank, who decide to skip the traditional holiday celebrations and go on a cruise instead. The book delves into the chaos and frenzy often associated with the Christmas season, exploring themes of commercialism, family dynamics, and the true meaning of the holidays. The story follows the Kranks as they face the reactions of their neighbors and community members who are determined to convince them to embrace the Christmas spirit, leading to unexpected twists and turns as they navigate their unconventional holiday plans.

Grisham's writing style in "Skipping Christmas" is described as fast-paced, funny, and engaging, with a unique blend of humor and irony that sets it apart from his usual legal mysteries. The book offers a light and comedic take on the challenges and joys of the holiday season, presenting a relatable and heartwarming story that resonates with readers looking for a festive and entertaining read that explores the themes of friendship, family, and the spirit of Christmas.

Characters:

The characters are relatable, featuring a cynical couple and their overly festive neighbors, each representing different perspectives on the holiday.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is marked by humor and satire, with an engaging style that reflects Grisham's knack for storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows a couple, Luther and Nora Krank, who decide to skip Christmas for the first time, only to face mounting pressure from their community and a surprise visit from their daughter.

Setting:

The setting is a suburban neighborhood during the Christmas season, highlighting community traditions and expectations.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, with a quick progression of events that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

The gate was packed with weary travelers, most of them standing and huddled along the walls because the meager allotment of plastic chairs had long since been taken. Every plane that came and went hel...

Notes:

Skipping Christmas is a departure from John Grisham's usual legal thrillers; it's a comedic holiday story.

The main characters, Luther and Nora Krank, decide to skip Christmas for the first time because their daughter is away.

Luther Krank figures he spent $6,100 on Christmas the previous year and wants to save that money for a cruise instead.

The novel satirizes the excessive commercialism surrounding Christmas and the pressure to conform to holiday traditions.

The neighborhood's reaction to the Kranks' decision is overwhelmingly negative, showcasing the community's social pressure.

A key plot twist involves their daughter suddenly returning home for Christmas with a surprise fiancé, forcing the Kranks to scramble back into holiday mode.

Although humorous, many readers find the predictability of the plot a downside.

Grisham uses this light-hearted story to explore themes of family, community, and the true spirit of Christmas.

The book was adapted into a movie titled 'Christmas with the Kranks' starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Despite mixed reviews, many readers appreciate the book for its humor and quick read, especially during the holiday season.

From The Publisher:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That's just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they'll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty, they won't be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash, they aren't even going to have a tree. They won't need one, because come December 25 they're setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences-and isn't half as easy as they'd imagined.

A classic tale for modern times from a beloved storyteller, John Grisham's Skipping Christmas offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

Ratings (5)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (16):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (4)

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About the Author:

John Grisham is the author of thirty novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and six novels for young readers.

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Skipping Christmas

John Grisham