Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
I adore holiday books, especially those centered around Christmas, but this is one I wish I had skipped. I actually listened to the audio version of this, read by Dennis Boutsikaris and finished it on my lunch break today(while eating a plate of leftover spaghetti and sauce from my mom’s – my absolute favorite meal). At least it was short.
It’s the story of Luther and Nora Krank who have decided to skip Christmas this year since their daughter is in Peru and instead go on a cruise that leaves Christmas Day. Of course, their daughter calls Christmas Eve and tells them she is on her way home with her new fiancé and expects the traditional Christmas celebration. The Kranks have to forget about the cruise and scurry around to pull Christmas together.
First of all, I didn’t like anybody through 7/8 of the book. Mr. Krank, is, well, a crank. His wife agrees with his skipping Christmas idea but still manages to lay all the blame on him. Their neighbors and friends are jerks. I would be jealous of if someone I knew were taking a cruise for Christmas not angry. I do think the Kranks were going a little overboard though. I’d still do some decorating, after all they were planning on being in town through most of December.
Even the daughter was inconsiderate, assuming that her parents had made no alternative plans. And why they didn’t just tell her that they would be happy to spend Christmas Even with her, but they were leaving on Christmas Day for a cruise is beyond me. She’s a grown woman, out of college, capable of heading across the world on her own.
The last bit of the book held all the feel good moment, with the neighbors and local law enforcement pulling together, making it a magical Christmas after all. And while the Kranks don’t get to use their cruise, they give it to someone who will appreciate it even more.
I’ll grant you there were some laugh-out loud moments, but overall I didn’t care, and by the end felt manipulated. I guess it had an anti-materialism message somewhere, but there are way better stories out there.
3 hours 42 minutes
First published 2001
Challenges: 100+, Holiday Reading
I borrowed my copy from the library and the above is my honest opinion. I am an Amazon associate.
I read this a few years back and loved it. I’ve also seen the movie. Great review. ;D
I expected to really enjoy it. It was a disappointment for me.
Saw the movie with Jamie Lee Curtis, I think. Same feeling.
I think I’ll skip the movie.
..how on earth did you manage to finish this book? I am so skipping it
At least it was short.
I wasn’t crazy about this book either.
Sorry this one is not good. I haven’t read this and frankly, I don’t read much of Christmas-themed novels so… But I hope to do that next year. This year, I’m too bogged down with the reading challenges I’ve committed.
I’m actually enough of a fan of this one to watch it every year. I reviewed it last year so I won’t be doing that again, but I am sorry you didn’t like it. I’ve never seen the movie but I did buy it this year so I’ll be watching it for the first time.
I read this one too and will have a review up soon as well. I felt the same way about it. I wish I’d skipped it.
Oh no! I bought this one for my husband several years ago (might have still been dating) because he’s a Christmas skipper. He didn’t read it, but I did–and agree. It was cute but ehhhh. Cheesy and predictable.
Hope your next holiday read is better. Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg is a fun one. Still cheesy and predictable, but in a comfort-food type of way.
I like cheesy and predictable usually. This one just annoyed me. I haven’t read anything by Fannie Flagg.
I’m also taking part in this reading challenge so thought I’d stop by to say hello and to see what other bloggers are reading. Nice to have met you, enjoy the challenge, I hope you have better luck with your next read.
It’s been awhile since I read this one, but I thought it was funny for the most part. It definitely wasn’t the best Christmas book I’ve read, though.
This is a movie right? Maybe the movie is better than the book.
I felt the same way about this one as you did.
Now that I have my reading for this challenge behind me, I am venturing out to see what others have read.
I have never really been a fan of Grisham. I can’t see what all the hype is about. I will definitely be skipping this one.