Rating:  Summary: Still laughing in Kentucky Review: I will carefully store this novel after New Years with my Christmas ornaments, so I will not give in to temptation to read it again before next Christmas. The "scrooge-like" narrarator of this story pulls you into his way of thinking through the hilarous encounters that he endures to the touching ending with which he suprises you. My day was made brighter and my Christmas spirit renewed as I watched an "empty nest" couple attempt to escape tradition with the whole world (or neighborhood) against them. It was so easy to read; I read it as my daughter napped, and I look forward to reading it again next year. John Grisham never ceases to amaze me with his ability to put you inside the story. It was as if a I could actually feel Luther's foot sinking in the slush and feel Nora's heart race each time a new solicitor came to the door. Make a hot cup of tea and enjoy!
Rating:  Summary: Skip this Review: If you're looking for a predictable schmaltzy holiday tale with a "It's a Wonderful Life" ending -- then this is for you. However if you want more from a book than a movie-of-the-week story that telegraphs the ending from about p. 10, then I'd suggest skipping "Skipping Christmas". After "A Painted House" I had high hopes for Grisham's new direction in his fiction. This, however, is a sad back-slide -- one wonders if it even would have been published if it didn't have such a "bankable" name on the cover. This read more like a movie script than a novel -- and unfortunately, I can see Hollywood probably casting it already.
Rating:  Summary: Don't skip "Skipping Christmas" Review: I'm not a Grisham fan, but my husband is and so "Skipping Christmas" made it's way into our home library. Out of boredom and looking for something to read that would put me in the holiday spirit, I opened the book to the first page. Instantly, I knew that I loved the characters. You knew them...they're the neighbors who comply with all that is expected - involved in their child's life, baby-boomers who thought life would deliver more and then, just when their only child leaves the nest, they discover that they can still make an attempt to have a life...one that is all about them. And so, with travel broucure in hand, they plot a trip to the tropics and use the money that they'll save by "skipping Christmas." And what a quick and delightful read. I like Grisham's style, and the way he just says it, rather than trying to dazzel the reader with artsy wording that impress only an editor now and again. Thank you Grisham and I can't wait for the movie (I just know that there will be one.) Happy Holidays. Fern
Rating:  Summary: A great laugh! Review: We all should laugh more. I have read all of Grisham's books and liked most of them but this one I really had a great time with. I laughed out loud so much that my wife had to read it - then my secretary - then one of my co-workers and on and on. My suggestion is, read it in one sitting. It is easily read in less than three hours even if you are a slow reader but the reward is worth it. I am looking forward to Chrisham's new Mystery Novel but in the meantime he gave me great pleasure with this short novel. Thank you John Grisham
Rating:  Summary: Skipping Christmas Review: What a way to start off the Holiday Season! I laughed till I cried!! Luther, the main character, is now my husband's hero. We do not put colorful lights on the outside of our home, just greens. But this year we will be putting Frosty on the roof, in honor of Luther and what happens when you skip Christmas. This is by far the best holiday book I have ever read! It's a quick read, one long afternoon. And it started our Christmas season on the right foot for a change!
Rating:  Summary: Skip this book Review: I purchased this book on the authors name alone and would know like to demand a refund. Although the premise of the book was interesting, I found the storytellling strained and unimaginative. This book is nowhere near the quality of Grishams earlier works. The conclusion left me very disappointed and the feel good ending was overdone.
Rating:  Summary: Skipping Christimas-WONDERFUL Review: As a loyal Grisham fan, I found "Skipping Christmas" to be his best story yet. From beginning to end you become totally involved in what will ultimately happen in this scheme to avoid Christmas. The humor in everyone's response to their plan make one wonder what would happen if you tried to "skip Christimas" in your life. Just a wonderful story, I have bought several as Christmas gifts--I can't recommend this one enough.
Rating:  Summary: Job Well Done Review: Another great book by Grisham. Not his usual lawyer style, but just as good. I couldn't put it down, finished it in one night. Some great laughs.
Rating:  Summary: Nice Little Novel Review: Just to begin, I must say that I am a fan of Christmas and all the hassles that are associated with it. However, I can sympathize with the point of view that Grisham tries to take. Although Christmas time is ultimately a pleasent time of year, to achieve the serentity on Christmas Day, people must endure the situations that occur in this book. Grisham's book offers the reader a chance to imagine a clear picture of what things could be like without Christmas. Although, some of the situations are over dramatized, in all I feel this book captured how some people might feel if a neighbor was not celebrating Christmas. The chance of finding people that share the same thoughts as those in the book seems remote, but hey, we are all different. Overall, I felt this book was enjoyable for those that craved a different type of writing from John Grisham. One thing I would like to add, for those who have read the book, it seems the Kranks exerted more effort trying to skip Christmas than actually celebrating Christmas.
Rating:  Summary: Simple Reading Review: I bought the book, not knowing what John Grisham has written in the past, but rather looking for some light-hearted reading; you know, something between Reader's Digest and Taliban.The Krank family's (well, Luther's) desire to pass on the hub-bub of the holiday season has surprisingly more effect on everyone than the Krank's. Skipping Christmas offered the silly, upbeat, quick reading I was looking for. It is a simple story and one that most everyone will relate to. Once the book is shared with friends and family, we will use the characters and scenes to describe our own friends, neighbors and co-workers. A must-be-made-for-TV-movie book.
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