On the HahaFiction shelf
Skipping Christmas
Audiobook available · 3 hr 42 min
Luther and Nora Krank have their first Christmas without their daughter at home, and Luther has a plan for the money they usually spend on it: a Caribbean cruise. They cancel the party and leave the decorations packed away. The neighbors take a much closer interest in that decision than the Kranks would like.
From the author’s blurb
“a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition”Read the full description at John Grisham’s official book page
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What makes it funny?
An empty roof becomes a neighborhood grievance when the Kranks refuse to put up the giant Frosty everyone else displays. Charities still want donations, too. Readers in book groups enjoy the couple’s attempt to escape Christmas obligations and describe laughing aloud at the story.
The comedy at work
Grisham gives the holiday holdouts a practical financial argument, then surrounds them with people who expect Christmas participation. The satire targets the spending and conformity behind a supposedly joyful season.
Try this if…
Holiday spending, compulsory festivities and nosy neighbors supply the appeal here. Readers describe it as lighthearted Grisham and return to it for Christmas rereads.
Good to know
The grumbling comes with sentiment. Publishers Weekly liked the holiday satire but found the story’s development less satisfying than its setup.
From book groups
Questions readers ask
- Is the movie Christmas with the Kranks based on this?
- Yes. Readers identify it as the book behind Christmas with the Kranks, and some prefer the novel to the film.
More funny family comedy
Sources & further reading
- Publisher paperback product page
Publisher
- Apple Books audiobook listing
Book information
- Author afterword
Author commentary
- Author and opening excerpt
Author commentary
- Publishers Weekly review
Review
- Publisher
Publisher
- Reader discussion
Reader discussion
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