For some reason I thought Grisham wrote murder mystery or detective type books. Instead I got a wholesome hallmark movie about the spirit of Christmas.
The story follows couple Luther and Nora Krank (just realized this is what “Christmas with the Kranks” is based on) after their daughter Blair goes off to Peru to work for the peace corps. Luther has that accountant brain and calculated that they spent $6,100 on Christmas last year. Why not skip out on the festivities and spend less money on a 10 day luxurious cruise? Their daughter won’t be there so what’s the point? Not as easy as it seems when you’re stubborn and you live in a festive neighborhood.
People are shocked when they hear. Some are jealous, but most are just dumbfounded. The Krank’s are going all in with their no Christmas decisions. The Boy Scouts stop by to sell a tree, policemen and firefighters drop in to fundraise, and every house on the street puts a frosty on their roof (see book cover.) The Kranks decline absolutely everything. Luther tells people stuff like “hey come back in Spring and I’ll donate $100 to the cause.” People don’t care.
A big chunk of the book is them trying to rationalize their decision and stay strong against all of their advisories. Their neighborhood loses the decorating competition and the local newspaper writes about the Kranks skipping out. Carolers stop by and sing outside their house while all the neighbors congregate and join in. They were getting harassed like crazy. Regardless, Luther kept doing things like walking around his neighborhood to prove a point. All they had to do was make it to Christmas and they were off on their cruise. When they return, who cares anymore?
We all know that they aren’t getting on that cruise. Surprise! Blair calls them on Xmas eve with news that she’s flying in with her new partner. Double surprise! They’re engaged. She asks on the call if they’re doing their annual party and in her shock Nora says yes. Cue the frantic chaos.
After reading so much about all the people they denied, the switch-up is incredibly awkward. They fail in every way possible getting the house decorated, food bought/prepared, and inviting guests to attend their last-minute party. The day was saved by none other than those pesky neighbors. Mr. Krank has a scary fall from his roof while trying to covertly put up his frosty and the cord saves him from splatting. The neighbors see and hear about Blair coming home. In a true Christmas miracle they all unite to scramble together one heck of a party.
I have to say that summarizing the story really makes me hate the characters. Almost every single one. The neighbors were absolutely off the heezy with the way they treated the Kranks. There was a mention early on about a family who doesn’t celebrate Christmas moving out and I can see why. They probably got ran out of town. The Kranks were also pretty extreme with their no Xmas rules, but hey it’s their lives. If they want to go on a cruise then great. It’s also crazy that Blair come the day of with almost no notice… and with a fiancee!
Overall not my favorite story or one I’d recommend, but the writing was great.
Rating: 448/1000
Alex Reviews All 