Skipping Christmas

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 the 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 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, Skipping Christmas offers a hilarious look at the charm and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

©2001 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2001 Random House, Inc.; Random House Audio, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Clever...fun to read." (Publishers Weekly)

Simple Pleasures!

I LOVE this story! If you are looking for something around the holidays to make you laugh in the midst of all the insane bustle, this book will point you in the right direction! Within his comical story line, you will find profound truth about what the holidays have become in America. As simple as it might sound, I think this is my favorite Grisham novel. Throughout the whole thing, I kept saying, "He is a genius!" Listening to it as I frantically cleaned my house, baked, and signed Christmas cards made me smile at my own pace and caused me to slow down and reflect as to what I feel is really important around the holidays. Even if you've read it, or simply seen the movie, download this and listen to it - it will definitely make your holidays bright!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Laugh Out Loud

Not many times can a book make me laugh out loud but this was one of the funniest books I have ever listened to!! I kept giggling without realizing it. When you want to get into the holiday mood, listen to this audio book. A great story that I will listen to every Christmas.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Brings out the Scrooge in me

A lighthearted, superficial and mostly amusing look at what is considered a "typical" American Christmas, up to being set in a Midwestern suburb. Caricatures (not characters) in situations either pushing the crassest stereotypes of Christmas ("must do this"), or trying to dodge ALL of the holiday, including its original spirit. In the end, a fairy tale ending forces the would-be dodgers to fully embrace all of the crap. Don't know if this is what the author intended, but it left me feeling the best solution would be to give skipping Christmas a try --- only continuing the "giving" parts, not necessarily for "the day". Bah, humbug! It really shouldn't have to be "all or nothing".

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Have a very FUNNY Christmas!

I guess I've come late to the party, as I have only this past Christmas finally "read" this sweet little book. John Grisham tells this story so wonderfully that many times I literally laughed out loud (which can be a bit awkward in the crush of public transportation on my daily commute), and the ending was so emotionally satisfying I had to wipe away a few (happy) tears.
Kudos also to the Reader, as he brings as much to the enjoyment of the story as the Author.
I'm adding "Skipping Christmas" to my Holiday rituals next year, along with "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life".

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A lighthearted romp

I found this title a thoroughly enjoyable listen. A whimsical look at Christmas and our human foibles. You won't find anything particularly astounding, eye-opening or dramatic in "Skipping Christmas" but you will find a gently amusing look at families, expectations and change. Highly recommended.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Highly Entertaining, will make you laugh and cry

What do you do when the last bird leaves the nest? Why plan a romantic vacation to a tropical destination of course. That was the plan and the trials and road blocks along the way are realistic if somewhat exaggerated. This was a great listen, will make you smile one minute, shake your head in agreement the next, laugh out loud and wipe a tear from your eye in the end.

10 of 14 people found this review helpful

Honest but Frustrating

Would you try another book from John Grisham and/or Dennis Boutsikaris?

This story was a different genre than the usual John Grisham book. I'll always rea a John Grisham book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nora Krank - I like the way she took over when it was necessary.

Have you listened to any of Dennis Boutsikaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not sure I've listened to this narrator before.

Did Skipping Christmas inspire you to do anything?

Think twice before making decisions and how those decisions might affect others. Luther was extremely selfish. He was so focused on himself he didn't do things that would make others happy without altering his plans.

Any additional comments?

Be prepared to laugh but be frustrated with the main character.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

LOVE IT!!!!!

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. I was hooked 5 minutes in. It made me laugh so hard I cried, which wasn't good, since I was driving! Totally worth every minute! I hope Grisham takes another try at humor.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Amy

This was a fun read-nothing too deep, but fun and entertaining. Not the usual Grisham book-I'm not sure I would want to read the book, but I enjoyed sitting on the deck and listening to this.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

The ending makes it MOOT

This could have been a good story. It starts as a seeming attempt to bring the over-consumptive habits of Americans at Christmas to light. Just when you think the hero will prevail, the plot turns on itself. For those of us who would like to see family appreciation replace eight foot glowing santas as a holiday them, this book is a loser. However, I will say that it has funny moments ala Year in Provence and that there are some light and charming family moments, so it is not a total wash. However, I'd easily recommend Paint House over this.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful