Monday, December 14, 2009

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham


Synopsis From Dust Jacket:

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 their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren't even going to have a tree. They won't need one, because come December 25th they're setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences-and isn't half as easy as they'd imagined.

This is the 3rd year I've read this book and I'm still not tired of it. Skipping Christmas is a light, quick read that always reaffirms my love for the holiday and reminds me not to take it too seriously.

Now normally I don't read this book and come away with any moral questions about the meaning of Christmas and I'm still not doing that, but one question that does come to mind is, would a family who makes this decision really get ridiculed by their friends and neighbors this much? Now I live in the city, not the suburbs, and I'm almost positive that a family going on a cruise for Christmas would be envied not looked down upon. Maybe it's different in the suburbs or small towns. Maybe the neighbors there really would harasses and condemn someone wanting to take it easy a particular year. I hope that's not the case but I could easily see it happening.

As much as I love the book I still haven't seen the movie version, Christmas With the Kranks, and probably will not any time soon. While I love Jaime Lee Curtis, Tim Allen is not one of my favorites and I tend to get annoyed when I see him on screen. There are a lot of you out there that love this movie though and I'm sure I would as well if someone else were in it.

This was read as part of two different challenges this year. The 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge sponsored by Nely at All About {n} and the Christmas Reading Challenge thrown by Michelle at The True Book Addict.

8 comments:

The Cozy Mystery Journal said...

Oh I agree. All my friends that go away for christmas to beautiful weather I envy. Especially when you're snowed in, even though the snow is pretty, warm weather is nice too.

I loved Skipping Christmas the first time I read it, but I haven't seen the movie either. I guess I'm just a book person, the movie never lives up to my expectation I've found.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read this yet, but hope to eventually. We're in the suburbs and I have to say I would be jealous of anyone heading to warm lands over Christmas. Wish I could go on a cruise for Christmas, or head to Florida for that matter.

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

As I was reading your review I was thinking of Christmas with the Kranks. I enjoyed that movie. I got enjoyment out of it. Actually, at times I joke about us doing the same thing here just once. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays now a days I just want to get away from it all and enjoy ourselfs together with out the hype that goes with it.

Great review Ryan!

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I'm sure my neighbors could care less if I go on a cruise or not...LOL! Though I could never go away from home during Christmas and especially somewhere warm...I just love Christmas too much (I might consider going somewhere snowy though!).

I really liked this book...I need to read it again...maybe next year since I already have so many to read =o)

Unknown said...

I haven't read this, and haven't really wanted to. I have to agree, everyone I know would envy people going on a cruise for Christmas.

IceJewel said...

While I was reading your review, I thought so that there is a movie based on the same theme..!! I have seen the movie, but not completely :(
I really don't know what I felt about the movie, but I guess, the fact that I remember it, itself says that I must have liked it.. :)

Elena said...

You make me feel so unChristmasy!

haha

Great review, I might read this on the plane on the way back home from Brisbane.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I love this book too!