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Earl Hamner Jr. Bestsellers: Spencer’s Mountain / The Homecoming
From the award-winning author, screenplay writer, and producer of several well-known teleplays and television series Earl Hamner Jr comes heartwarming stories of love, family, and hope that inspired the popular television show: The Waltons.
Spencer’s Mountain:
High up on a mountain, young Clay-Boy Spencer joins his father and eight uncles to hunt the mythical white deer. What he finds on the mountainside changes his life — and marks him for a special destiny.
The Homecoming:
Years after the events of Spencer’s Mountain, Clay Spencer — Clay-Boy’s father — fails to return home on Christmas Eve. Leaving his worried family, Clay-Boy takes to the snowy Virginia hills in search of his father in a Christmas story told with warmth and power.
Spencer’s Mountain:
High up on a mountain, young Clay-Boy Spencer joins his father and eight uncles to hunt the mythical white deer. What he finds on the mountainside changes his life — and marks him for a special destiny.
The Homecoming:
Years after the events of Spencer’s Mountain, Clay Spencer — Clay-Boy’s father — fails to return home on Christmas Eve. Leaving his worried family, Clay-Boy takes to the snowy Virginia hills in search of his father in a Christmas story told with warmth and power.
- GenresFiction
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2017
65 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Earl Hamner Jr.
23 books89 followersEarl Henry Hamner Jr. (born July 10, 1923 in Schuyler, Virginia), was an American television writer and producer (sometimes credited as Earl Hamner), best known for his work in the 1970s and 1980s on the long-running CBS series The Waltons and Falcon Crest. As a novelist, he was best known for Spencer’s Mountain, which was inspired by his own childhood and formed the basis for both the film of the same name and the television series The Waltons, for which he provided voiceover narration.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 21, 2022
The only story I read and this book was Spencers Mountain. One of my favorite TV series in the past wasThe Waltons, and this book is what it was based on. In while there are many parallels of this story to the TV series, I was bored with it. I don't even know why. I do know that it wasn't because the story was bad, in fact it was very good, but somehow it was the way it was written. Perhaps, I thought earl writes better TV scripts.
Or maybe I just need something that reads at a faster pace right now
John Walton, in this book, did not own his own lumber mill but worked for a company. He was also a drinker and cust a lot. Some nights he would go to the bars and come home late. Still, he was a very good husband and father. Not mean at all.
John Boy, Clay in this book, learns real fast that if you wish to go to college you better not get your girlfriend pregnant.
Or maybe I just need something that reads at a faster pace right now
John Walton, in this book, did not own his own lumber mill but worked for a company. He was also a drinker and cust a lot. Some nights he would go to the bars and come home late. Still, he was a very good husband and father. Not mean at all.
John Boy, Clay in this book, learns real fast that if you wish to go to college you better not get your girlfriend pregnant.
January 11, 2020
A delightful, charming and entertaining story! Earl Hammer Jr. portrays a classic Americana style story that gives us a glimpse into the past of how it may have been with the old fashioned values, way of life and the pioneer spirit. Well written and a fun read. This is one time I can say that I liked both the book and the movie, not one or the other! Good read!
December 7, 2017
Like Coming Home
I grew up watching the Walton's and, when I discovered thus book a few days ago, I was delighted. I love these stories, Hamner's prose wraps around the reader like a comfortable quilt.
I grew up watching the Walton's and, when I discovered thus book a few days ago, I was delighted. I love these stories, Hamner's prose wraps around the reader like a comfortable quilt.
March 12, 2018
If you enjoyed the Waltons, you will enjoy this. More a series of vignettes, than a novel. Relating a sense of community and rural America during the depression.
May 16, 2022
I grew up in the age of the Waltons on prime TV. I had seen the special, “The Homecoming,” and I always wanted to read the story.
But when you read this book, forget all you knew about the Waltons, because it is not their story. Other than a couple of names, the story is so different that it was almost not comparable.
The story revolves around the Spencer family, who live on spencers mountain. Other than the wife named Olivia, that is about where the similarities of the two stories end. It’s a great story to let the modern generations know how people lived nearly 100 years ago in this country. For me, it was the stories of my parents and my grandparents that are familiar with this one. I loved reading how people had the morals of the past, and how important families were no matter how much hardship was involved in keeping it together.
If I had the chance to read this book again. I would read the homecoming first and then the Spencer’s Mountain section. The book is laid out with the Homecoming last, but actually takes placed a couple of years before the other story.
It is a really good read, and moves very quickly. I think if you enjoy reading about America’s past, you would like this book.
But when you read this book, forget all you knew about the Waltons, because it is not their story. Other than a couple of names, the story is so different that it was almost not comparable.
The story revolves around the Spencer family, who live on spencers mountain. Other than the wife named Olivia, that is about where the similarities of the two stories end. It’s a great story to let the modern generations know how people lived nearly 100 years ago in this country. For me, it was the stories of my parents and my grandparents that are familiar with this one. I loved reading how people had the morals of the past, and how important families were no matter how much hardship was involved in keeping it together.
If I had the chance to read this book again. I would read the homecoming first and then the Spencer’s Mountain section. The book is laid out with the Homecoming last, but actually takes placed a couple of years before the other story.
It is a really good read, and moves very quickly. I think if you enjoy reading about America’s past, you would like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2023
I grew up watching Earl Hamner's touching semi-autobiographical series The Walton's and still keep it close to my heart. The classic historical drama explores family, comfort, and perspiring through hardships in the Great Depression and WWII.
Finally after three years of it being on my TBR, I've read the books that inspired the series. With impeccable, lively writing and plot, Hamner crafted intriguing tales I enjoyed. I regret not rating Spencer's Mountain and The Homecoming higher, but aside from the beauteous prose, fleshed characters, and exciting plot, I was left bored with a dragging monotonous script. The stories felt distant, lacking, and overcrowded with characters I couldn't keep straight. Hamner was a superb author, but this is one instance where I prefer the show to the books.
Finally after three years of it being on my TBR, I've read the books that inspired the series. With impeccable, lively writing and plot, Hamner crafted intriguing tales I enjoyed. I regret not rating Spencer's Mountain and The Homecoming higher, but aside from the beauteous prose, fleshed characters, and exciting plot, I was left bored with a dragging monotonous script. The stories felt distant, lacking, and overcrowded with characters I couldn't keep straight. Hamner was a superb author, but this is one instance where I prefer the show to the books.
May 22, 2023
This novel is based on the author's youth in Nelson County, Virginia, which he later adapted to create the long running television program, The Waltons. I grew up within 30 miles of Hamner's home. Friends knew his family and spoke of them often. The novel seems mostly autobiographical. Although Hamner exaggerates the poverty and lack of education in his home area and some of the vignettes are overly simplistic and saccharine, the book presents an interesting coming of age story that generally fits the place and time of which it speaks.
December 17, 2022
This book is the basis for The Waltons television show. However it is very much different in the characters names. In the story it is Clay-boy instead of John-boy. This threw me off until I got used to it. The story is filled with many wonderful surprises as the family waits for father to come home. There are some funny parts as well. What’s stressed is family is important and the community watches out for each other. This is a lovely story and well worth reading.
December 21, 2017
I enjoyed the Waltons TV show. The quality of the writing deteriorated during the last two seasons but overall I was a fan. So it was enjoyable to read the books that the show was based on. I can see why the chose to tone down the “Hillbilly” attributes so it wouldn’t be a repeat of the Real McCoys.
I recommend the books to anyone who enjoyed the TV show.
I recommend the books to anyone who enjoyed the TV show.
February 10, 2023
If you’re looking for this to be exactly like “The Waltons,” you’ll be disappointed as the innocence and geniality is missing. There’s repetition between the two stories in the volume. Interesting to have read the work which inspired the show but I don’t think I would particularly recommend it. 2.75/5
December 25, 2017
Well written country life
The only problem is I bought this as a set with Spencer’s Mountain. You should read Homecomeing first or it’s not interesting. Otherwise it is mildly entertaining.
The only problem is I bought this as a set with Spencer’s Mountain. You should read Homecomeing first or it’s not interesting. Otherwise it is mildly entertaining.
November 6, 2021
Brings back memories of watching The Waltons on television. Such a delightful book on a life that doesn’t exist any longer (or so it seems). I miss simpler days although the days weren’t necessarily easier. Wonderful book to get lost in.
December 24, 2017
An enjoyable pair of stories that formed the background to The Waltons TV show.
January 30, 2019
Lovely
Wonderful memories of childhood and family love. I will re-read this story at the holiday seasons in the future, just for the warmth and nostalgia.
Wonderful memories of childhood and family love. I will re-read this story at the holiday seasons in the future, just for the warmth and nostalgia.
October 7, 2023
A superb Christmas story and I give it 5 Stars. But I loved the movie even better and I’m so grateful that it led to “The Waltons” TV series. What a legacy Earl Hamner left in this world.
December 3, 2025
I have watched The Homecoming every Christmas holiday for over 50 years. The most surprising difference between the book and movie? Olivia keeps the “recipe,” which is eggnog in the movie, and makes whiskey icing with it for her applesauce cake! Ha!
I was pleased to realize that the sanitized version of "The Waltons" didn't quite match the reality of The Spencers. My favorite line: The sun goes down early on a poor man.
I was pleased to realize that the sanitized version of "The Waltons" didn't quite match the reality of The Spencers. My favorite line: The sun goes down early on a poor man.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews