John Grisham, who wrote The Firm and A Time To Kill has written something a little lighter and brighter for the Christmas season, and his story begins with Luther and Nora Krank…Luther, having reviewed his meticulous records, has realized his family spent over $6000 on Christmas last year. Determined to make this year different, he takes advantage of his daughter Blair’s departure for a Peruvian Peace Corps assignment to float an idea to his wife, Nora. The Krank family should skip Christmas this year. Initially horrified, Nora resists, but Luther wears her down with visions of saved money, a cruise to some tropical islands instead, and as he mentions repeatedly, "You’re right. It won’t be the same without Blair here anyway."
The Kranks’ friends, neighbors and acquaintances are aghast at their decision. No big Frosty on the roof, in keeping with the rest of the block? No Christmas Eve holiday party? No contributions to holiday calendars and toy drives from the police and fire departments? Luther Krank is firm in his decision to skip Christmas, but it’s all he can do to keep Nora from falling out of step with him. The final straw comes Christmas Eve; while the Kranks are packing for their cruise, a phone call from Blair brings a wholly unintended and unexpected turn of events for the Kranks this Christmas.
