Hi everyone, I hope you’re well. Today I’m sharing another festive-themed book review! Today’s book is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham was first published in November 2001 by Doubleday and (my copy) is 198 pages.
This book was made into a movie in 2004 renamed Christmas with the Kranks, which itself is a fun festive farce but having seen the movie all those years ago, I really didn’t feel I needed to read the book. However, when I asked around for some recommendations for Christmas-themed books, Skipping Christmas kept coming up. So I gave in.
The Plot
The story follows Luther and Nora Krank, a middle-aged couple who have grown tired of the hustle and bustle and expense of the holiday season. In an effort to avoid the madness, they decide to take the money they would usually have spent on the holiday, skip Christmas altogether and head off on a ten-day Caribbean cruise.
Of course, things don’t go as planned. The Kranks find themselves dealing with judgemental neighbours and townsfolk who can’t understand their decision. Nevertheless, the Kranks remain committed to their plan. After all, they’re grown-ups; they can do whatever they want! Right?
Characters
Luther and Nora Krank are the main focus in skipping Christmas. They’re relatable people who are just trying to change things up a little and you can’t help but root for them as they navigate their way through everything their town and its people throw at them. Luther is fed up with Christmas and how much money he spends on the holiday and he is fully committed to escaping. Nora on the other hand seems a little bit more reluctant to relinquish Christmas and everything that comes along with it.
The two of them are completely believable as real-life people and I couldn’t help thinking about people I know who are just like them.
Even the secondary characters are well-drawn. Everyone from Luther’s colleagues Stanley Wiley and Yank Slader to the Kranks’ neighbours the Frohmeyers, the Trogdons and the Beckers feel like fully rounded people with their own distinct traits and personalities. Even the police officers selling calendars feel like they could be people you might know.
Writing Style
Grisham’s writing style is engaging and easy to read. He does a great job of painting a picture of the Kranks’ small town, of Hemlock, with its Christmas decorations, rooftop Frostys and lighted boxwoods. You really feel like you’re right there with Luther and Nora as they keep trying to escape the holiday craziness and the neighbourhood hoo-hah about plastic snowmen.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun and festive read that will get you into the Christmas mood, I highly recommend “Skipping Christmas.” It’s a fun, easy-to-read story full of humour and enough drama to keep you turning pages. I really found it hard to put down and I have to say, I’m glad I decided to give the book a chance because although I love the movie version, the book gives a much richer story.
What I will say, however, is that Skipping Christmas is a teeny tiny bit predictable, but I didn’t really mind it so much – maybe because it was a fun easy read or maybe because I’m a Christmas fanatic, I’m not sure. But being able to correctly guess what the characters were going to do or say didn’t really take anything away from the story for me, but maybe you disagree.
I would rate Skipping Christmas by John Grisham 7/10.
Have you read the book or seen the movie? What did you think?
As always, thanks for giving my review a read and spending some of your time here with me today, I really appreciate it.
Until next time,
George
© 2022 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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