Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment . . .
Review: Okay, I'll start by saying I'm a Grisham fan. I rank his last book, "The Painted House," among my all-time favorites. So I came to this book with high expectations . . . BUT . . . even so, from one of the era's most popular writers, I expected more than an extended short story. The premise is cute . . . the Krank family decided to "skip Christmas" but in fact in skipping the trappings, they manage to skip the core of the season. There are some excellent lines . . . like when the Krank's cancel their regular Christmas Eve party and one of their friends says, "But what will we DO Christmas Eve?" Some of the images are memorable . . . imagine a 51-year-old man trying to wrestle a huge Frosty-the-Snowman onto his roof without being seen. But the whole thing simply goes on tooooooo long. And . . . the unknown (archetypal?) stranger at the end . . . Marty-what's-his-face who seems to know everybody tho' nobody knows him . . . is a potentially important touch that Grisham throws away. As I say, it's got great potential as a short story. It'll probably make a really funny movie. But as a book . . . hey, I recommend waiting for the film.
Rating: 
Summary: Merry, Merry Christmas!!
Review: Dinner was an hour late because I could NOT leave this book unfinished! I closed it with a smile on my face and a glimmer of the ol' Christmas Spirit in my heart. I have already packaged it to be sent to my sister. I am hoping she finishes quickly so we can pass it on to the next person--this is the best greeting card!! A book that tells the parable of the Modern Day Christmas--craziness or simplicity? Can we have both?!?! Grisham writes characters we can identify with--with all the quirks and charms that we all have. His cranky Luther reminds me of a half a dozen people I know (including myself!) and the urge to create the "perfect Christmas" is a universal theme suffered (!) by us all....
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully fun book
Review: This was a terrific book, read easily in a day or so. Simple, easy to read, easy to imagine and picture. Fun story line, terrific with holiday season soon in swing. Very funny!! As I was reading, I didn't want to put it down! John Grisham is an excellent writer and it shows he can write about more than just lawyers! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys the holidays and it looking for a simple novel to lighten their mood. Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Fable!
Review: For those reviewers intent on pointing out Grisham's research errors, all I can say is "Bah-humbug!" From the taut suspense of "The Partner" to the colorfully drawn era of "A Painted House", Grisham has always been able to keep our interest with characters whose motivations seem very like our own, or at least like someone we know. In "Skipping Christmas", Grisham brings us a tale that is very believable in its motivations. Who among us hasn't bellyached about the madness of the holiday season? Something different from Grisham's other books, this is a short gift of a tale, a one-sitting fable that reminds us to keep our priorities right in the midst of holiday chaos. Luther and Nora Krank are wonderful protagonists, entwined in their own plot to skip Christmas. The ending, if a bit predictable, is still likely to bring laughs and tears. Grisham touches us in a simple and effective manner. My wife and I, joined on the couch, had to put the book down a couple of times to regain control after particularly comedic scenes. (Did I mention wiping my eyes on my sleeves?) Through it's simplicity, the story works, the message sinks in, and--if I'm one to predict the future--the TV movie will be out by next Yuletide. (Yes, my wife and I will watch.)
Rating:
Summary: Quick read, quick lesson
Review: I have read every one of John Grisham's works. His law-themed selections are stunning, they really probe me to think and expand my horizons.I reflect on them for days after I have turned the last page! SKIPPING CHRISTMAS was not a selection that would make me want to read each of his other works.
The story was interesting but I feel the promotional made the book out to be better than it really was. The parental sacrifice was completely unselfish and truly in the spirit of Christmas. Perhaps because I could have never imagined this sacrifice being made for me, I cannot relate to the book. Maybe it will cause us to dwell more on the true meaning of Christmas, accepting a wonderfully unselfish gift that was given freely to all mankind, on the first Christmas ever.
Rating: 
Summary: Skip this Christmas tale!
Review: Skipping Christmas is a disappointing, boring book, and that's a lot to say from a fan of John Grisham. Its tone is grinchy, and what might have been funny comes off as simply a little dumb. The sarcastic, cynical tone is not balanced by any sense of redemption; even the gift given at the end of the story is not enough. Blair proves herself to be a selfish, thoughtless child, and the way the neighborhood comes to the family's rescue on Christmas Eve is unconvincing; Luther Krank is no match for George Bailey. Skip this one and read The Painted House instead!
Rating:
Summary: FIVE THUMBS UP
Review: The audio version of this book was great. Well read and funny. A humorus Christmas story that captures human nature. Would make a good Christmas season TV movie. Great set-ups and finishes. Good, clean, wholesome entertainment. Recommend CD for audio.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Great story. Would make an excellent Christmas TV special.
Rating:
Summary: Skipping Christmas
Review: This book was very disappointing - very boring. The story line was weak. I would not recommend this to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Book but a Word of Caution
Review: I have read and enjoyed almost all of Grisham's books and was curious to explore how he would treat this subject matter that is somewhat of a departure for him. On the whole I found the book entertaining. Anyone who has wondered what it would be like to "skip Christmas" can probably picture themselves in at least one of the predicaments in which the Kranks find themselves. However, I would strongly not recommend this book to anyone who is a breast cancer patient or the family member of a breast cancer patient. For a book which bills itself as an "hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition," there is an unexpected element that for this breast cancer patient was quite disturbing. I'm not saying that we should never read about the plight of such patients, as I have read several books devoted to that subject. However, I do believe that we should at least be aware going in that the book we are reading for escapism is going to hit us in the face with a dose of reality. I would hope that this review might keep others from being "blindsided" as I was by this turn of events in an otherwise entertaining book. (...)
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