Skipping Christmas

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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 the 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 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 charm and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

©2001 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2001 Random House, Inc.; Random House Audio, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Clever...fun to read." (Publishers Weekly)

A must for everyone

Loved this book so much! Captures the true spirit of Christmas! The narrator was perfect!

Funny and Entertaining!

Couldn't hardly "put this book down". Very funny, but with a surprising moving twist at the end.

Another one better than the movie

I've been listening to this audiobook for 12 + years
it is such a good book and Dennis Boutsikaris does a amazing job at delivering the lines.

Who knew John Grisham cd be funny?!

Fun escape - cute story and wonderfully read. If you just want to laugh this is the Christmas story for you.

every year - wouldn't skip it for the world

this has become a yearly tradition. every year I howl as I read, and tear up. it is absolutely spectacular

hilarious and heart-warming

This is a wonderfully told story with a witty sense of humor, a fun sense of neighborly and family dynamics, and a quick pace. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have shared it with many others.

The movie didn't do the book justice

The book was a great listen. Very funny. After listening to the book, we were anxious to see the movie but they left out alot. I'm glad we listened to the book first.

Christmas Tradition for me!

What did you love best about Skipping Christmas?

I read this book when it came out, several years ago and have read it every year since. I love the message you can get out of the book and at the climax of the book, I always break out in a huge grin. Definitely a favorite of mine and always helps to get me in the Christmas Spirit whenever I listen.

What about Dennis Boutsikaris’s performance did you like?

I love the slightly cynical intonation the performer gives to the main character in this book. He reads it as I hear it in my mind.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

hehe. Christmas with the Kranks? Actually, probably not. The movie does not do this book justice and the casting was not correct for how I envision the characters.

Wonderful Story!

This is a wonderful, funny, and uplifting story - but what makes it all the better is the narrator! The humorous way he tells the story allowed me to feel the frustration of this husband and wife as they simply try to take a year off from the hustle of Christmas and are met with disbelief from their friends and neighbors.

Cute Christmas Read

I read this about 20 years ago and thought it was cute and it was a book we read for book club. It’s a very sweet and innocent story. I recommend this to anyone wanting a relaxing and fun read during the holidays! 🎄