Luther and Nora Krank are fed up with the chaos of Christmas. The endless shopping lists, the frenzied dashes through the mall, the hassle of decorating the tree… where has all the joy gone? This year, celebrating seems like too much effort. With their only child off in Peru, they decide that just this once, they’ll skip the holidays. They spend their Christmas budget on a Caribbean cruise set … set to sail on December 25, and happily settle in for a restful holiday season free of rooftop snowmen and festive parties.
But the Kranks soon learn that their vacation from Christmas isn’t much of a vacation at all, and that skipping the holidays has consequences they didn’t bargain for…
A modern Christmas classic, Skipping Christmas is a charming and hilarious look at the mayhem and madness that have become ingrained in our holiday tradition.
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from John Grisham’s “The Litigators.”
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Tired of the holiday frenzy? First Thanksgiving, now Christmas.
Thinking about skipping it altogether?
I suggest you read John Grisham’s ‘Skipping Christmas’ first…
ME
Meh!
Couldn’t wipe the smile off my face while I read it. Don’t see the movie, just read the book
My Favorite John Grisham novel is also the movie, “Christmas with the Kranks.” I saw the movie first and was amazed to see Grisham credited with the story as this is not a lawyer thriller at all. From that moment, I knew I wanted to read the book.
One summer at my sister-in-law’s in Minnesota, I was excited to see it on her end table. I asked if she minded and I immediately was plopped into the center of the snowy holidays. I didn’t get to finish it during our visit, but two Christmases ago, what did my wondering eyes should appear? The book she sent, all wrapped up with care!
I’ve always found it more enjoyable to watch Christmas movies in the middle of sparse seasons with nothing to do but relax and the book felt just as fun. No hassle, tinsel, or a million merry missions begged for my attention. I love the holiday season with hope in the air and the atmosphere of goodwill. But I think we all can agree it is taxing, which is exactly Luther Krank’s job as an accountant.
Cranking the numbers, Luther decides to fatten his wallet by ditching the commercialism and monetary trappings of Christmas. It’s the perfect time for his revolution since his only child Blair has run off with the Peace Corps.
His neighbors and friends form picket lines. Let the Battle of Christmas begin!
Convinced they’re all jealous of the cruise he and Nora are taken instead, Luther doesn’t buckle to their numerous charity donations or decorating threats.
Nora, however, donates her time like always and is left on the battlegrounds with his hairbrained scheme while Luther escapes to the office in solitude and crispy tanning lunch appointments.
Suddenly the chill takes a turn. Will the neighbors wear them down with chants of “Free Frosty!” and cold shoulders? Or will it be smooth sailing on December 25th?
The book was infinitely better than the movie!!!
Classic Grisham humor.