One Sentence Summary:
The Kranks, tired of the commercial frenzy and stress of Christmas, decide to skip the holiday and go on a cruise, but their plans are derailed when their daughter unexpectedly changes her plans.
Book Genre:
Fiction, holiday, comedy
Main Topic of the Book:
The main topic of the book is the pressure of holiday traditions and the consequences that can arise when one decides to break away from them.
Key Ideas:
- The stress and commercialism of Christmas can take away from the true meaning of the holiday.
- Breaking away from traditions can lead to unforeseen consequences.
- Family and community are important aspects of the holiday season.
- Love, forgiveness, and second chances are prevalent themes.
Main Parts of the Book and Short Summary:
- Part One: Skipping Christmas – Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip Christmas for the first time in their lives and go on a Caribbean cruise instead, only to face criticism and judgment from their neighbors and friends.
- Part Two: Christmas Without Christmas – With their daughter, Blair, away for the holiday, the Kranks try to avoid any sign of Christmas in their home and face challenges and obstacles in doing so.
- Part Three: Christmas Eve – As Christmas Eve arrives, the Kranks receive a surprise visit from their daughter who has changed her plans and is now expecting to celebrate Christmas at home. Desperate to pull off a last-minute Christmas, the Kranks scramble to find a tree, decorations, and gifts.
- Part Four: Christmas Day – On Christmas Day, the unexpected events of the previous night lead the Kranks to a change of heart and a realization of the true meaning of the holiday.
- Epilogue – The Kranks reflect on their Christmas experience and the lessons they learned, ultimately cherishing the memories and traditions that come with the holiday season.
Key Takeaways:
- The pressure to conform to holiday traditions can lead to stress and loss of the true meaning of Christmas.
- Family and community are important aspects of the holiday season and should not be taken for granted.
- Love, forgiveness, and second chances are important themes in the story and in life.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
John Grisham is a highly successful and acclaimed author, best known for his legal thrillers. He has sold over 300 million books worldwide and many of his novels have been adapted into popular movies. Grisham is also known for his charitable work, including his commitment to promoting literacy and education.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this book is primarily adults, particularly those who may feel overwhelmed or stressed by the holiday season and the pressure of holiday traditions. It may also appeal to readers looking for a heartwarming and humorous story with themes of family, community, and love.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
Skipping Christmas: A Novel was published by Random House on November 6, 2001.