Skipping Christmas: A Novel

By John Grisham

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this classic tale for modern times, beloved storyteller John Grisham offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

The inspiration for the film Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis

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 25 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anchor
• Release date: Mar 16, 2010
• ISBN: 9780307576071

John Grisham

John Grisham es autor de numerosos libros que han llegado al primer puesto en las listas de best sellers y que han sido traducidos a casi cincuenta idiomas. Sus obras más recientes incluyen La lista del juez, Los adversarios, Los chicos de Biloxi, El intercambio, Isla maldita y Tiempo de perdón, que está siendo adaptada como serie por HBO. Grisham ha ganado dos veces el Premio Harper Lee de ficción legal y ha sido galardonado con el Premio al Logro Creativo de Ficción de la Biblioteca del Congreso de Estados Unidos. Cuando no está escribiendo, Grisham trabaja en la junta directiva de Innocence Project y Centurion Ministries, dos organizaciones dedicadas a lograr la exoneración de personas condenadas injustamente. Muchas de sus novelas exploran problemas profundamente arraigados en el sistema de justicia estadounidense. John vive en una granja en Virginia.

Book preview

      One      

The gate was packed with weary travelers, most of them standing and huddled along the walls because the meager allotment of plastic chairs had long since been taken. Every plane that came and went held at least eighty passengers, yet the gate had seats for only a few dozen.

There seemed to be a thousand waiting for the 7 P.M. flight to Miami. They were bundled up and heavily laden, and after fighting the traffic and the check-in and the mobs along the concourse they were subdued, as a whole. It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest days of the year for air travel, and as they jostled and got pushed farther into the gate many asked themselves, not for the first time, why, exactly, they had chosen this day to fly.

The reasons were varied and irrelevant at the moment. Some tried to smile. Some tried to read, but the crush and the noise made it difficult. Others just stared at the floor and waited. Nearby a skinny black Santa Claus clanged an irksome bell and droned out holiday greetings.

A small family approached, and when they saw the gate number and the mob they stopped along the edge of the concourse and began their wait. The daughter was young and pretty. Her name was Blair, and she was obviously leaving. Her parents were not. The three gazed at the crowd, and they, too, at that moment, silently asked themselves why they had picked this day to travel.

The tears were over, at least most of them. Blair was twenty-three, fresh from graduate school with a handsome résumé but not ready for a career. A friend from college was in Africa with the Peace Corps, and this had inspired Blair to dedicate the next two years to helping others. Her assignment was eastern Peru, where she would teach primitive little children how to read. She would live in a lean-to with no plumbing, no electricity, no phone, and she was anxious to begin her journey.

The flight would take her to Miami, then to Lima, then by bus for three days into the mountains, into another century. For the first time in her young and sheltered life, Blair would spend Christmas away from home. Her mother clutched her hand and tried to be strong.

The good-byes had all been said. Are you sure this is what you want? had been asked for the hundredth time.

Luther, her father, studied the mob with a scowl on his face. What madness, he said to himself. He had dropped them at the curb, then driven miles to park in a satellite lot. A packed shuttle bus had delivered him back to Departures, and from there he had elbowed his way with his wife and daughter down to this gate. He was sad that Blair was leaving, and he detested the swarming horde of people. He was in a foul mood. Things would get worse for Luther.

The harried gate agents came to life and the passengers inched forward. The first announcement was made, the one asking those who needed extra time and those in first class to come forward. The pushing and shoving rose to the next level.

I guess we’d better go, Luther said to his daughter, his only child.

They hugged again and fought back the tears. Blair smiled and said, The year will fly by. I’ll be home next Christmas.

Nora, her mother, bit her lip and nodded and kissed her once more. Please be careful, she said because she couldn’t stop saying it.

I’ll be fine.

They released her and watched helplessly as she joined a long line and inched away, away from them, away from home and security and everything she’d ever known. As she handed over her boarding pass, Blair turned and smiled at them one last time.

Oh well, Luther said. Enough of this. She’s going to be fine.

Nora could think of nothing to say as she watched her daughter disappear. They turned and fell in with the foot traffic, one long crowded march down the concourse, past the Santa Claus with the irksome bell, past the tiny shops packed with people.

It was raining when they left the terminal and found the line for the shuttle back to the satellite, and it was pouring when the shuttle sloshed its way through the lot and dropped them off, two hundred yards from their car. It cost Luther $7.00 to free himself and his car from the greed of the airport authority.

When they were moving toward the city, Nora finally spoke. Will she be okay? she asked. He had heard that question so often that his response was an automatic grunt.

Sure.

Do you really think so?

Sure. Whether he did or he didn’t, what did it matter at this point? She was gone; they couldn’t stop her.

He gripped the wheel with both hands and silently cursed the traffic slowing in front of him. He couldn’t tell if his wife was crying or not. Luther wanted only to get home and dry off, sit by the fire, and read a magazine.

He was within two miles of home when she announced, I need a few things from the grocery.

It’s raining, he said.

I still need them.

Can’t it wait?

You can stay in the car. Just take a minute. Go to Chip’s. It’s open today.

So he headed for Chip’s, a place he despised not only for its outrageous prices and snooty staff but also for its impossible location. It was still raining of course—she couldn’t pick a Kroger where you could park and make a dash. No, she wanted Chip’s, where you parked and hiked.

Only sometimes you couldn’t park at all. The lot was full. The fire lanes were packed. He searched in vain for ten minutes before Nora said, Just drop me at the curb. She was frustrated at his inability to find a suitable spot.

He wheeled into a space near a burger joint and demanded, Give me a list.

I’ll go, she said, but only in feigned protest. Luther would hike through the rain and they both knew it.

Gimme a list.

Just white chocolate and a pound of pistachios, she said, relieved.

That’s all?

Yes, and make sure it’s Logan’s chocolate, one-pound bar, and Lance Brothers pistachios.

And this couldn’t wait?

No, Luther, it cannot wait. I’m doing dessert for lunch tomorrow. If you don’t want to go, then hush up and I’ll go.

He slammed the door. His third step was into a shallow pothole. Cold water soaked his right ankle and oozed down quickly into his shoe. He froze for a second and caught his breath, then stepped away on his toes, trying desperately to spot other puddles while dodging traffic.

Chip’s believed in high prices and modest rent. It was on a side alley, not visible from anywhere really. Next to it was a wine shop run by a European of some strain who claimed to be French but was rumored to be Hungarian. His English was awful but he’d learned the language of price gouging. Probably learned it from Chip’s next door. In fact all the shops in the District, as it was known, strove to be discriminating.

And every shop was full. Another Santa clanged away with the same bell outside the cheese shop. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer rattled from a hidden speaker above the sidewalk in front of Mother Earth, where the crunchy people were no doubt still wearing their sandals. Luther hated the store—refused to set foot inside. Nora bought organic herbs there, for what reason he’d never been certain. The old Mexican who owned the cigar store was happily stringing lights in his window, pipe stuck in the corner of his mouth, smoke drifting behind him, fake snow already sprayed on a fake tree.

There was a chance of real snow later in the night. The shoppers wasted no time as they hustled in and out of the stores. The sock on Luther’s right foot was now frozen to his ankle.

There were no shopping baskets near the checkout at Chip’s, and of course this was a bad sign. Luther didn’t need one, but it meant the place was packed. The aisles were narrow and the inventory was laid out in such a way that nothing made sense. Regardless of what was on your list, you had to crisscross the place half a dozen times to finish up.

A stock boy was working hard on a display of Christmas chocolates. A sign by the butcher demanded that all good customers order their Christmas turkeys immediately. New Christmas wines were in! And Christmas hams!

What a waste, Luther thought to himself. Why do we eat so much and drink so much in the celebration of the birth of Christ? He found the pistachios near the bread. Odd how that made sense at Chip’s. The white chocolate was nowhere near the baking section, so Luther cursed under his breath and trudged along the aisles, looking at everything. He got bumped by a shopping cart. No apology, no one noticed. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was coming from above, as if Luther was supposed to be comforted. Might as well be Frosty the Snowman.

Two aisles over, next to a selection of rice from around the world, there was a shelf of baking chocolates. As he stepped closer, he recognized a one-pound bar of Logan’s. Another step closer and it suddenly disappeared, snatched from his grasp by a harsh-looking woman who never saw him. The little space reserved for Logan’s was empty, and in the next desperate moment Luther saw not another speck of white chocolate. Lots of dark and medium chips and such, but nothing white.

The express line was, of course, slower than the other two. Chip’s’ outrageous prices forced its customers to buy in small quantities, but this had no effect whatsoever on the speed with which they came and went. Each item was lifted, inspected, and manually entered into the register by an unpleasant cashier. Sacking was hit or miss, though around Christmas the sackers came to life with smiles and enthusiasm and astounding recall of customers’ names. It was the tipping season, yet another unseemly aspect of Christmas that Luther loathed.

Six bucks and change for a pound of pistachios. He shoved the eager young sacker away, and for a second thought he might have to strike him to keep his precious pistachios out of another bag. He stuffed them into the pocket of his overcoat and quickly left the store.

A crowd had stopped to watch the old Mexican decorate his cigar store window. He was plugging in little robots who trudged through the fake snow, and this delighted the crowd no end. Luther was forced to move off the curb, and in doing so he stepped just left instead of just right. His left foot sank into five inches of cold slush. He froze for a split second, sucking in lungfuls of cold air, cursing the old Mexican and his robots and his fans and the damned pistachios. He yanked his foot upward and slung dirty water on his pants leg, and standing at the curb with two frozen feet and the bell clanging away and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town blaring from the loudspeaker and the sidewalk blocked by revelers, Luther began to hate Christmas.

The water had seeped into his toes by the time he reached his car. No white chocolate, he hissed at Nora as he crawled behind the wheel.

She was wiping her eyes.

What is it now? he demanded.

I just talked to Blair.

What? How? Is she all right?

She called from the airplane. She’s fine. Nora was biting her lip, trying to recover.

Exactly how much does it cost to phone home from thirty thousand feet? Luther wondered. He’d seen phones on planes. Any credit card’ll do. Blair had one he’d given her, the type where the bills are sent to Mom and Dad. From a phone up there to a cell phone down here, probably at least ten bucks.

And for what? I’m fine, Mom. Haven’t seen you in almost an hour. We all love each other. We’ll all miss each other. Gotta go, Mom.

The engine was running though Luther didn’t remember starting it.

You forgot the white chocolate? Nora asked, fully recovered.

No. I didn’t forget it. They didn’t have any.

Did you ask Rex?

Who’s Rex?

The butcher.

No, Nora, for some reason I didn’t think to ask the butcher if he had any white chocolate hidden among his chops and livers.

She yanked the door handle with all the frustration she could muster. I have to have it. Thanks for nothing. And she was gone.

I hope you step in frozen water, Luther grumbled to himself. He fumed and muttered other unpleasantries. He switched the heater vents to the floorboard to thaw his feet, then watched the large people come and go at the burger place. Traffic was stalled on the streets

Reviews for Skipping Christmas

[thebacklistbook · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book is kind of like an extended twisty version of the gifts of the magi. It was way frustrating to get through and took me way to long to listen to it all. Partly because the narrator was super slow, even after 1.25 speed.

[flowercreek · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fast and fun. Reminded me of living in the suburbs. Fun,quick, easy listening audiobook.

[muumuumousie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was funny, and well worth reading. I liked the interesting characters and dry humor, and I appreciated what a quick read this was during a busy holiday season. It’s warm and fuzzy in places, with a healthy undercurrent of cynicism. Despite this, I was disappointed by Luther’s casual disregard for his wife. I think the film adaptation (so true to the book in other respects) was wise to soften Luther, making him a better husband, and making the Kranks a much more caring couple. All in all, a fun story.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

My first time ever reading Grisham, here—and unless the point of this little comedy was to say, "Don't be like any of the bigots and bullies in this book," then this wasn't at all a good introduction to the author.

The neighborhood's, and the Kranks', sentiments make it obvious that anything that isn't Caucasian, Christian, and Western doesn't jibe with them. I mean, the little pokes at Hindus and Buddhists in the characters' minds just weren't funny. Luther referring to Peruvians as "heathens" and thinking of their foreign children as "primitive," and he and his wife being utterly relieved to find out that the skin color of a certain Peruvian doctor they have to meet isn't too brown—and I quote, "Nora and Luther...looked beyond to see how dark Enrique was. He wasn't dark at all! At least two shades lighter than Luther himself!"—no. Just no. Just not funny.

The fact that one Pakistani family moved into the neighborhood once and moved away again a short time later is no surprise. Not when you see the way the Kranks' neighbors literally, collectively, blatantly, relentlessly shame and harass the Kranks for taking a non-conforming route this season by not putting up Christmas decorations and such.

Yep. Go on and browbeat folks into celebrating the birth of Christ (or whatever it is you're celebrating through this holiday) just the way you want them to. Gossip about 'em, laugh at 'em, get crowds together to publicly heckle 'em, bombard 'em with spiteful "joke" Christmas messages in the mail, etc....

Yep x2. That'll learn 'em that 'tis the season to be jolly.

I read the whole book because 1) it's short, 2) I absolutely love Christmas and reading Christmas books, and 3) I figured the Kranks were really going to learn something, or something, through choosing not to participate in the façade that calls itself Christmas rather than truly being Christmas.

But it seems the façade wins out, here. Not to mention the fact that none of the characters are likable. Even when a gesture of Luther's toward the end is apparently supposed to be magnanimous, it seems likely that he may be most concerned not about other people but about making sure a big chunk of his money doesn't go to waste, given his attitude.

Then with the outright racism going unchecked in the end, as if it's just supposed to be a quirky joke or some such...

Nope.

Again, unless Luther is supposed to be an Archie Bunker-ish caricature and the moral of this story is not to be like the Kranks or any of their nasty neighbors, I'm not exactly sure what the point of this book is supposed to be.

[Ymermar · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a very American novel. Indeed, in Europe we celebrate Christmas but do not feel that pressure; here we easily accept that there are people who take the opportunity to go on vacation, especially after Christmas. But I think we do not have those costs of "printed invitations," practically mandatory "donations," and imposed neighborhood decorations. We know this from the movies, but I really think that there they go a little overboard; it’s no surprise that there are so many people who initially envy this couple that decides to go on a cruise, which will cost them half of what the usual celebrations do. From the beginning, I have felt the stress that comes with celebrating the holidays in such a way, with a show for the gallery, so that others can see it, but that isn't really for the enjoyment of those involved, an extreme commercialism where spending takes precedence over feelings. The neighbors make him feel like a Mr. Scrooge, although what he really doesn’t want is to have so many imposed obligations. On the other hand, it shows that parents are always worried about their children and give everything for them, but children must fly and live their own lives. In the end, when a change of direction occurs, the Christmas spirit emerges, along with solidarity, friendship, and good neighbors... and everything ends up like a modern "Christmas Carol." (Translated from Spanish)

[huba.library · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Christmas tale for John Irishman fans. A must holiday read to be in your library. The story is a satirical view of the overblown 20th C. rituals around the Holidays.

[lara335 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As their daughter has gone to work abroad, Luther & Nora decide to skip Christmas - no cards, no presents, no charity giving, no decorations, and go on a cruise instead, much to the disapproval of the community.

As the pressure grows, so do the couple’s stress levels.

I love a seasonal fairytale. But this one wasn’t in the It’s a Wonderful Life league. I think I should have been charmed, but for the first 90% of the story I found the dithering couple too irritating.
Bah humbug.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've only known John Grisham as a writer of legal thrillers but storytelling is his art. Grisham knows how to elevate intrigue and wonder. It's the Sunday after Thanksgiving and what would happen if you could simply skip the stress and give "A snap of the fingers and it’s January 2. No tree, no shopping, no meaningless gifts, no tipping, no clutter and wrappings, no traffic and crowds, no fruitcakes, no liquor and hams that no one needed, no “Rudolph” and “Frosty,” no office party, no wasted money. His list grew long."

I couldn't help but be intrigued to learn if Luther Kranks can pull off skipping Christmas. After all, Luther's only proposing the idea to his wife Nora for this year as their daughter Blair won't be home from her new job with the Peace Corps until next Christmas. He can hardly believe his wife seems to be warming to the idea. It's easy to love his alternative plan. As Luther and Nora are both being bombarded by inquiries the question becomes will one of them cave or continue full speed ahead with the alternative plan. As the reader becomes engrossed in the idea I was reminded of the John Lennon quote, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

This is John Grisham at his best making us think about choices and what ifs and as the story comes to a close the unexpected ending. I didn't know what to expect but Grisham delivers a Christmas tale that captivates interest and is effectively written. Don't skip it!

[Skylard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The truth is, this reading surprised me a lot.
I had a lot of fun reading the book, I was expecting something worse from the title, but I gave it a chance and I don't regret it.
About halfway through the book, I got a little tired of it, but there was an unexpected twist and it ended very well.

I recommend this book. (Translated from Spanish)

[WalterJair · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Light reading and moderately entertaining. First book read by John Grisham: Does Christmas really drive the Yanks this crazy? I know it's supposed to be a satire, but I'm sure there are many families like that in the USA. On the other hand, I found it somewhat prejudicial regarding the Peruvian character, and the expectation that he would be "darker" felt out of place.
In the end, it leaves the feeling of having witnessed another typical American story where everything that could go wrong is resolved with hard work and unity to reach the classic happy ending. (Translated from Spanish)

[Cari214 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good, perhaps not as much as the others, something different, it addresses the theme of Christmas and what many of us might have wanted to do but never dared to, a very nice story. (Translated from Spanish)

[Gcubas30 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved it, it tells a story that is by no means typical. I really liked changing plans and not getting carried away by consumerism. We see a couple, Nora and Luthor, avoiding Christmas at all costs to go on a cruise, because their daughter has decided to volunteer in Peru, but something changes and what seemed like the perfect plan gets interrupted, but it definitely takes an interesting twist. Short but intense, I liked it a lot. ? (Translated from Spanish)

[SteffaniaDelaRosa · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I felt very identified with Luther, the main character of the plot; I am not a person who loves to celebrate Christmas. ☃️

The story is about the Krank family, who want to skip Christmas and go on a cruise to enjoy and relax, as their daughter Blair has gone to Peru as a missionary that year. However, their neighbors are obsessed with Christmas and begin to pressure them to celebrate, which becomes unpleasant and somewhat unrealistic. Luther Krank decides to save for his trip with his wife Nora and, to achieve this, he decides not to participate in anything related to Christmas to save money for their cruise, since every year they waste money on gifts, parties, and decorations. Luther is determined not to give in, especially not to his neighbors. This novel is a satire about Christmas and the consumerism that occurs during this season, a simple, fun, and somewhat exaggerated novel. (Translated from Spanish)

[DianaAmarilis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun, super light story; about halfway through the book I got bored, but it took a spectacular turn and ended really well. I recommend it to finish the year. (Translated from Spanish)

[LCRUZ · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The classic Grinch applied to the current time. His house the only one without lights, without parties, without dinner, and the biggest sin in this particular neighborhood...without Frosty on the roof! Funny, although Luther is an extremist in his methods to skip Christmas. (Translated from Spanish)

[Nuryta · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There is no obligation to give in to consumerism, but it doesn’t mean you should refrain from all celebration. The main thing is to take advantage of the opportunity to share with loved ones while taking care of each other. Very appropriate in the current times. Read in 2020. (Translated from Spanish)

[Fcalzada · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A short novel. Tragicomic, somewhat funny, and a little absurd and exaggerated at times.

A couple decides to skip Christmas to go on a cruise, but it seems that the town where they live doesn't want to make it easy for them.

I liked it; it's very nice to read during the Christmas season, although it didn't "blow my mind." The ending surprised and entertained me, and I honestly read it very quickly since it’s a very pleasant read. I recommend it! (Translated from Spanish)

[AnaMarialina · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I started reading this book, I thought it was one of those typical John Grisham books. But I was wrong; what if we didn't want to celebrate Christmas as usual? Decorations, gifts, big meals... blah blah blah. That's what Luther and Nora decide to do, and they embark on a cruise. What will happen? I'll leave that for you to read; it's a book that brings smiles, and I've been able to laugh a lot at the situations. I gave it 3 stars because it's not one of the best books, but it has its Christmas charm. ????????? Merry Christmas!!!!! Ho Ho Ho. (Translated from Spanish)

[Lbascha2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A satirical novel about the tyranny of Christmas. Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no office parties, no fruitcakes, no ridiculous gifts. That’s what Luther and Nora Krank have planned when they decide, for once, to skip the celebrations. On December 25th, they will embark on a Caribbean cruise, but they will soon realize that skipping Christmas on Hemlock Street is not that easy.

A simple novel, a pleasant and easy-to-read story, a moral about what really matters in this life, not just Christmas but in any other celebration that has been commercialized and has distanced us from what truly satisfies.

I really enjoyed it, I laughed, I cried with the different events that in the end left me with a very good feeling. (Translated from Spanish)

[mariabv2012 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Grisham has surprised me and made me smile while reading this short novel about the tyranny of Christmas. Well-written and with many touches of humor, it can be read in a short amount of time; it is entertaining and enjoyable, and you devour it without realizing it.

It tells the adventures of a mature couple who will be alone at Christmas for the first time in many years as their only daughter will be absent during this time, and they decide to skip the holiday festivities and everything that entails and go on a 10-day cruise instead.

A decision that seems so rational and simple will create them countless problems and unimaginable situations; they will have to deal with neighbors, shopkeepers, friends, police officers, firefighters, coworkers... and even the priest.

The awkward and often comedic situations unfold in the days leading up to Christmas; they must swim against the current to distance themselves from the consumerist frenzy that comes with the holiday season, and...
Will they manage to fulfill their dream of spending the holidays on a luxury cruise through the Caribbean islands? If you still don't know the answer because you haven't read the novel, you have no choice but to do so; if you decide to, you are going to have a good time, at least I did. (Translated from Spanish)

[NahuelBro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The work narrates how Luther and Nora Krank, after their daughter goes to Peru, decide to skip Christmas and everything that it implies: tree, gifts, lights, decorations, parties, and all those things to go on a cruise in the Caribbean. Their neighbors do not think this is very good and will do everything possible to make the Kranks celebrate the holidays. The book is quite funny and very easy and quick to read; I finished it in a few hours. Although it is not a book that will go down in history, it is still enjoyable. It has some good messages, although a bit clichéd, even though the intentions are good. (Translated from Spanish)

[buffalogr · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

John Grisham did a non-lawyer book? Who knew? This was a cute little Christmas themed book. It offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

[katebaxter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Oh, how we do get ourselves running ragged in the days leading up to Christmas. Wouldn't it be great if for just one year, we could step away from all the decorating, baking, card writing, meal preparations and unending party commitments? Well therein lies the premise for this delightful compact Christmas novella.

Author John Grisham is a master of storytelling and this holiday short story is no exception. His gentle poking at the human condition is quite amusing.

The story is of Luther and Nora Krank whose recently graduated daughter has wandered off to Peru for a year as a Peace Corps volunteer. Luther is a tax partner in an accounting firm. In reviewing the prior year's exorbitant holiday expenditures, he imagines what life could be without all those cost-incurring holiday demands and expectations. His daughter won't be around at Christmas, so why not head off with Nora for parts unknown? Convincing Nora may be a bit of a challenge and when colleagues and neighbors find out, it will be deemed almost sacrilegious. Do Luther and Nora have what it takes to stick to their plans?

This was a beautiful story rich with hope, redemption, humor and a touch of humanity. Definitely worth reading.

Synopsis (from book's 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 25 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.

A classic tale for modern times, Skipping Christmas offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

[delta61 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Skipping Christmas", a book and a movie. This is a holiday theme book, a humorous reality check of Christmas. This is a fast paced book, a light read for the holidays. I wanted a something to read over the Christmas period and this fell into my hands. It elaborates on the time spent and the expenses involved to celebrate Christmas. It is humorous, making one think of their own festivities or folly. Through all the turmoil of the holidays, it does end up with the meaning of Christmas.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars

When Luther and Nora's only daughter, 21-year old Blair, sets off to Peru with the Peace Corps just after Thanksgiving, and no intention on returning for a year, Luther and Nora decide to save some money and skip Christmas, the parties, gifts, decorations, and everything else associated with it. They'll go on a Caribbean cruise instead. But they didn't think of the consequences of this action - the stares, rumors, whispering and resentment from neighbours.

It was a short, fun, cute story. It got especially humourous towards the end. Definitely enjoyed it.

[Lu89 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A novel that will make you laugh more than once, and have you ever stopped to check in detail how much is spent for Christmas night? Well, I have never done it; I just spend, and here lies a key point and the foundation of the entire book: skipping Christmas. We meet Luther, a family man who works hard to give the best to his wife and their only daughter, who feels pressured and when Christmas arrives, he actually doesn't enjoy it because of all that he has to do and what he is ordered to do. On the other hand, we have Nora, a housewife who is also dedicated to her family, wanting a beautiful and well-kept home, and when Christmas comes, it's the best time to adorn everything in sight without worrying about expenses. Lastly, we have Blair, the couple's only daughter, who goes on a trip to Peru and won't return until the following year. It’s a very quick and totally fun read, but it also leaves you with a message: we have forgotten the meaning of the holiday and have made it completely commercial, and this is what makes you enjoy this beautiful novel. If your idea is to have a fun moment, this is undoubtedly a great option. (Translated from Spanish)

[M. Belén Márquez · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

On this occasion, Master Grisham surprises us with something different from what we're used to. A heartwarming story that is 100% Christmas-themed, which aims to be nothing more than a fable of good intentions for this time of year. (Translated from Spanish)

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I heard that this book was one of the funniest books that people had read, so I suppose I had high expectations. This book didn't live up to them.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Like many other spontaneous thoughts, it sounded like a good idea at the time. But skipping Christmas turned out to be a lot harder than Luther and his wife Nora anticipated. They could deal with the disapproval of their neighbors and others, but then, something happened that made them realize that skipping Christmas was a very bad idea. Humor abounds in this short tale and the unusual plot is peopled with delightful characters. But though the book is quite entertaining, the movie is really better.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. I read this a while ago and really liked it then. A friend sent a copy in a box of books so I read it again. It was more entertaining the first time around and the ending was more of a surprise the first time too.

I can't believe people spend quite so much at Christmas as over $6,000. But if one does, I can sure understand wanting to save that money, as Luther does. Though they do agree to match their charitable giving from the year before--and some of the groups that come to the door would seem to qualify as charities. At the very least the police calendar which could be used throughout the year. Even though Luther promises donations to the groups for other times in the year.

In the end, it is nice to see that the neighbors pull together for Blair (the daughter).