Spencer's Mountain

The 70's generations know The Waltons but few of us know the prototype, Clayboy Spencer, as first told by Hamner. The Waltons, of course, is the made for television version of Spencer's Mountain. This prototype novel is more salty, without being graphic; more home spun without cloying.

While The Waltons is more Mayberry meets the Love Boat. The emotion of Spencer's Mountain definitely feels like a real novel. A difference, for starters, is the main character. Clayboy has a hormonal balance missing from John-Boy's more contrived character. Still, the novel clearly presents a familiar outline of the later adapted TV series and still reveals the same heartwarming sense of hope.

(Side note: It's a LONG way from 1925 Downtown Abby to 1933 show more New Dominion, VA. Pat Conroy might say, The Water Is Wide. ) show less

The book on which 'The Waltons' was based,; fiction, albeit rather autobiographical, as the author recalls a rural childhood in 1930s Virginia.
I loved the Waltons but wondered how it would work in book form. I neednt have worried: Hamner's family, while upstanding, are much less cloying and saccharine than their television counterparts. The only child who really features is eldest son Clay-Boy, who is on the cusp of adulthood - yearning to get a scholarship to allow him a college education, and in the throes of first love. When we first meet him, he is off on his first hunting expedition, plunging his knife into the deer's throat while the men pass the whisky around (don't recall John-Boy doing such a thing!)
Delightful, folksy tale, but show more with heart-wrenching moments that make it all believable. show less

When we were young, our family always gathered to watch The Waltons on TV. I was aware that Earl Hamner had created the show, based on his family. I knew he was a writer. I really wanted to read this book someday.
I rarely wish I hadn't read a book. This one just didn't hold the charm that the television series held. I know there is a movie based on this book, and I'm still very likely going to try to find it to watch.
The TV show was fairly uplifting. This book features an accidental death of a key person, but then just glosses over it, like dead, buried, forgotten.
I loved John Boy in the show. He always seemed rather flighty to me, and this book allows me to understand that it's the way the character was designed, and that Richard show more Thomas brought the charm to the character. In the book, he slept with a casual girlfriend without any real consideration. It did not feel genuine to the time, or the storytelling. I feel funny saying that, as I know this is based loosely on Hamner's life. Maybe he did just get naked and run around in a field and then just accidentally have sex with his girlfriend, so who am I to judge? Really, it could've been written much better, if that's what happened. I'm disappointed in the writing more than the lack of character development, since it is based on truth. show less

Although I knew who the Waltons were, I didn’t watch the show until a few years ago when we were looking for something family friendly to watch with the kids. I enjoyed the show but am not really a fan of watching tv, so when I came across this book I decided to read it.
The book is an enjoyable read about a strong family working together to better their lives. As others have commented, it is a grittier look at life—no made-for-tv whitewashing. Because of that it gives a more realistic view of growing up poor in a rural area and the effects of the Depression.

This book was the basis for the show The Waltons. It was also made into a movie, which I have not seen.

It is quite similar to the show (several episodes are obviously based on chapters here), but the show tamed the cussing and drinking going on in the book. The book seems a little closer to reality and the hard life lived in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtn's in the 1930's.

The story is based around Clay, Olivia, Clay-Boy Spencer and the rest of the family that lives and works in the company town at the base of Spencer Mtn. Characters were full and the writing at times brought bouts of reflection. Overall a good solid read.

Here is short paragraph that touched me.
"When life ebbed away, when the blood no longer made its spasmodic voyage show more through the hand she held, she looked at his face. The fierce old beautiful visage relaxed, and something not quite a smile, but akin to it, took its place, a waxed artificial slack expression that was neither pain nor joy but was simply death."

Brought back the image of my father in his casket. Neither happy or sad, just missing the life that gave it the character we loved. show less

I loved the folksey manner of this book. I was surprised at how risque it was for the time it was written. Reliving The Walton's TV show!

I have been a fan of The Walton's since the very first broadcast, and I quickly became a fan of this book. It took awhile to get used to 'Clay-Boy' instead of 'John-Boy' but after that it was smooth sailing. Although there are other characters in this book the focus is on Clay-Boy and his journey into adulthood. The book is a bit grittier than he TV series but if you enjoy the Walton's you will enjoy this book. Hamner is a superb writer.