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Spencer's Mountain
High on the mountain which has belonged to the Spencer family for generations lives an almost legendary white deer. When young Clay-Boy Spencer goes in quest of the deer with his father and 8 tall red-headed uncles, he finds it, and comes back marked for a special destiny in the world. What this special destiny is becomes the theme of Earl Hamner's enchanting novel, as we...more
Hardcover, 247 pages
Published
(first published January 1st 1962)
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Spencer's Mountain is a slice of literary Americana, good old folks
living in the mountainous country side of Virginia in the 1930s, which
might as well be the moon as far as their knowledge, or interest, of
the outside world goes.
This family of 11, and growing, is a great example for any one
who dreams of distancing themselves from the modern world and
'get back to the basics'. Life is a lot of work, making and cleaning
up for meals is a full time task.
In this large cast of characters is the prota...more
OK, so I admit, I was a big Waltons fan growing up. And the narrator of the show (along with the main writer) was Earl Hamner. Being a Virginian, I became a follower of this writer as a teen and still love the warmth of his stories.
I purchased Spencer's Mountain years ago and was delighted to find the book full of the characters from the TV series, as well as being true to the movie of the same name. In the book, Clay-boy is our hero who is beginning his "coming of age" journey through hunting/f...more
I purchased Spencer's Mountain years ago and was delighted to find the book full of the characters from the TV series, as well as being true to the movie of the same name. In the book, Clay-boy is our hero who is beginning his "coming of age" journey through hunting/f...more
This was an enjoyable read. I read it years ago, and I remember most clearly the youngest child, a girl named Patty-Cake (the basis for Elizabeth on the tv series "The Waltons") shocking her family at the dinner table by saying, "Damn, damn, double-damn, triple damn, HELL!".
She learned it from Daddy, naturally. It was fun to read a more frank depiction of Hamner's life. Like "Little House on the Prairie", the books are much more honest and interesting than those squeaky-clean, extra-nice televis...more
She learned it from Daddy, naturally. It was fun to read a more frank depiction of Hamner's life. Like "Little House on the Prairie", the books are much more honest and interesting than those squeaky-clean, extra-nice televis...more
3.75 stars. I must be on a kick of reading books on which TV shows are based. Hamner's novel was, of course, the inspiration for "The Waltons," which I loved as a kid growing up in the '70s. To me, the best thing about this book was its positive portrayal of marriage and of a family who loved and took care of each other. And what's not to love about a family of redheads? Claris, though, needed a good slap, and I simply can't understand why Clay-Boy fell for her.
Once I got used to Clayboy instead of Johnboy (I grew up with The Waltons), I really enjoyed this book. I love the Spencer family and the way they take care of each other, and sacrifice for each other. It made me nostalgic for an era that I only know from the stories of my parents and grandparents.
The "Waltons" (tv show) was based on this story. I usually like stories about very large families in the old days, working hard and helping each other as they don't have much money. But I did not care for the raunchy teenage girl Claris; take her out of the book and it's a fun story about a poor family trying to get their oldest son to college.
This is a beautiful story of a rural family making do the best they can and hoping for better for their children then they had. It was turned into a lovely movie starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara. The TV series "The Waltons" was based off of this book.
I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was a fan of The Waltons. I never watched the movie, Spencer's Mountain. I don't know if that made a difference or not. The book was different from the show.
This book didn't increase my vocabulary. It was pretty easy reading. It was just a good story, plain and simple. I look forward to reading others by Mr. Hamner.
This book didn't increase my vocabulary. It was pretty easy reading. It was just a good story, plain and simple. I look forward to reading others by Mr. Hamner.
Very goood, but if you have seen the movie you do not need to read the book. I think this is the first time I have ever read a book that was exactly like the movie. The only difference is the book is set in VA and the movie in the Rockies.
I listened to the audio-book. Light, nostalgic, if dated, story of a family and a way of life now long gone. If you loved The Waltons television show, listen to (or read!) the book. It will bring back many fond memories.
I laughed a ton while reading this book! Would have given it a 5 except for how premarital immorality was treated as "to be expected from young people" provided that the girl didn't end up pregnant. This occurs at the end of the book.
Enjoyed this book. Although you can see similar story lines the book is much grittier than the television series. The focus is still on the eldest male child (John-boy is Clay-boy in the book)and the love of a family as they struggle through the Great Depression in Appalachia America.
I read it before it became what "The Waltons" was based on. Pretty good.
better than the series.....loved the story, and the movie with henry fonda
The TV show had a much happier family and Daddy was not drunk.
Clay-Boy Spencer grows up in Virginia
Library discard, no longer in my collection. Adult fiction.
The television show "The Waltons" was based on this book. The pilot movie was "Spencer's Mountain". That being one of my favorite shows, I had to read the book. I didn't make any notes about the book, which after this length of time I don't remember.
The television show "The Waltons" was based on this book. The pilot movie was "Spencer's Mountain". That being one of my favorite shows, I had to read the book. I didn't make any notes about the book, which after this length of time I don't remember.
Hearwarming and beautifully written. The story of the Spencer family is touching, and quintessentially American. This is the original story that was the basis for "The Waltons" television show of the 1970s. The book isn't as sappy as the show (although I loved it at the time). Earl Hamner is an incredible author and weaves the story with his use of colorful language and description. The characters are fully developed, and Clay-boy Spencer is heroic but very human.
Claris ruined this book for me.
I didn't find her a very believable character and didn't like the influence she had on Clay-boy.
I'll agree with another reviewer that I didn't like how this book presents pre-marital sex in a somewhat nonchalant manner.
Otherwise, I loved the all of the other characters in this book, thought the writing was awesome, and was very sad to put it down 3/4 through.
I didn't find her a very believable character and didn't like the influence she had on Clay-boy.
I'll agree with another reviewer that I didn't like how this book presents pre-marital sex in a somewhat nonchalant manner.
Otherwise, I loved the all of the other characters in this book, thought the writing was awesome, and was very sad to put it down 3/4 through.
This was an enjoyable book pattered after "The Waltons".
I loved the character of the Dad - such a good neighbor but never went to church. Then, to correct what he had done to the preacher, he conned all the church members back to church by threatening to charge them for his repairs if they were not there.
I loved the character of the Dad - such a good neighbor but never went to church. Then, to correct what he had done to the preacher, he conned all the church members back to church by threatening to charge them for his repairs if they were not there.
The book that lead to The Waltons. While the characters names were different for the most part, it was interesting to recognize some chapters as episodes and yet a lot of things were really different. Not as much detail as I'd expected, but a good book overall.
I read-- and loved--this novel many years ago; it still holds up pretty well. Try not to hold it against Clay-boy Spencer that television turned him into the godawful John-boy Walton. I'm sure he wasn't happy about it either.
My mother gave me her copy a few months back. I was a little skeptical of the subject matter at first, but I found it to be not only a wonderful coming-of-age story, but a beautiful story of a marriage, too.
Apr 14, 2008
Kim
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who loves romanticized old fashioned fiction
Recommended to Kim by:
Lee visited the Walton Mountain and brought it home for me
I knew the story, the TV series and the movie, but the book was 10 times better and more moving. I love the mention of places in Virginia I know and love. Excellent writer.
A really enjoyed the book, but it was definitely NOT "The Waltons" and it certainly isn't for any age group either.
The TV show is only loosely based on this book. If you read it only because you like The Waltons, you might be disappointed.
I confess I was a Waltons fan, but more importantly an Earl Hamner fan. He wrote some awesome Twilight Zone episodes.
The TV series "The Walton's" was based on this book.
So different from the Walton's Mountain I know.
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takes me back to the homestead
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