Lisa_J's Full Review: John Grisham - Skipping Christmas
Ingredients:
1 -- Child dealing with strep throat & flu symptoms
1 -- Mom – not sure if it is sympathy pains, or if she is also ill
1 -- Afternoon of cancelled parties and Christmas plans
1 -- Beanbag Chair
1 -- Barbie® Sleeping Bag
2 -- Pillows
1 -- Couch
1 -- Afghan
1 -- Kleenex® box
1 -- Bottle Children’s Motrin®
1 -- Just-in-case bowl
1 -- Video - Jingle All the Way
1 -- Book - Skipping Christmas
Assess situation, make needed calls to cancel late afternoon and evening plans. Send older daughter and husband for some last minute shopping *wink* and to the movies. Place sick child comfortably into sleeping bag on top of beanbag chair. Position pillow gently behind her head. Strategically place bowl and tissues within easy reach. Place Mom on couch with afghan, pillow, and book (shhhh! It is a gift for mom-in-law, not yet wrapped). Allow cat to slumber at feet (ahh… warmth!).
Allow to simmer for one afternoon.
Yield: 1 child feeling slightly better, 1 hubby and older daughter pleased with results, 1 cat spoiled as ever, and 1 mom pleased with completion of Skipping Christmas. 1 gently read book that mom-in-law will certainly enjoy!
Skipping Christmas
Author: John Grisham
Within the twenty chapters – 177 pages – of Skipping Christmas, author John Grisham provides a charming recollection of the mayhem that often overtakes Christmas season. We are introduced to Luther and Nora Krank, an empty-nest couple that has just put their only daughter – Blair – onto a plane to Peru, for a peace-corps trip.
Luther and Nora portray a typical couple. She expresses concern for her daughters’ safety, and he assures her it will be fine (while secretly attempting to convince himself). The Krank’s reside in an average to moderate American neighborhood. They are faced with the holiday bliss, minus daughter. Mr. Krank is a career accountant that proceeds to sum the seasonal cost of the prior Christmas holiday at $6,100! He seems rather annoyed at the extravagant financial price for food not consumed, presents not adored, and nothing to show for it.
It takes him little time to decide he would have no challenge with skipping Christmas this year. He still believes in the birth of Christ, but vows to forgo all the hoopla. Rather than succumb to society expectations of traditional seasonal rituals, at a hefty price, this couple is going to expend the funds for a cruise. Yes! That is correct! No office parties, purchasing and mailing Christmas cards, hanging lights, adorning the house, acquiring and displaying a tree, and so forth. Not one thing of Christmas ago.
Naturally this approach isn’t received well by those around. This is when the story stirred mixed emotions for me. I was sad of how robotic Christmas has become to many. Also, this is when the story became hilarious. We witness the many rituals of Christmas seasons past come forth to smack them in the face. Adversity attempts to overwhelm them. I enjoyed the plight through the confrontations, and felt a connection with both Luther and Nora Krank. I had thoughts of where this story was leading, but really wasn’t certain.
Rather then give the ending away – what a shame that would be – I will tell you that on fact prevailed…. There was a factor that tugged at their heartstrings and revealed to them that under all the superficial hoopla, there always was – and still is – a kind spirited nature fueling the season.
Parting Thoughts
Incredible representation of the commercialization of holiday season is provided. I found myself laughing at humanistic traits. It was easy to examine rituals within my own family unit while reading the first half of this charming tale. I found myself examining rituals that have us attacking the season from a robotic style approach.
However this author allowed me to recapture hope as I realized that beneath it all, are kindhearted people that really are “together” with Christmas spirit.
This book was a smooth read, thought provoking, and easy to digest. Skipping Christmas provided a relaxing encouragement of the need to hold tight to appreciation for my neighbors, friends, and family.
The ideas presented aren’t really anything new, but are ones that we all would benefit from reexamining. The gripe I maintain is that I don’t feel this publication is worth the $19.95 suggested retail. We paid $13.49 at Barnes and Noble. I know that my mom-in-law won’t mind my venture through this book. In fact, she’ll enjoy discussing it after her completion of the story.
This story presents to me a light humor insight of Christmas partaking. Skipping Christmas doesn’t appear typical of other John Girsham novels. Not a disappointment, just not a book I would offer as an introduction to this author. However, I highly recommend reading it – and feel that avid fans will enjoy it. Also, those liking publications such as the Chicken Soup for the Soul will admire Skipping Christmas.
Write-Off
This is my humbly late submission to prairiegirl16’s ~*~ All I Want for Christmas Write/Off. Please excuse my tardy offering, but realize the sentiment is still intact! *smiles *
My thanks to our hostess, and Merry Christmas to all!
Participants:
Hostess - prairiegirl16
Bomberbo7
copernicus
Debbie26
Donnie013
rngpie
Greatpilgrim
jag2112
jro26
Lisa_J
Lorace
MaraTara
Neenkena
reviewer12
sjlando
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 decorati...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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