The Homecoming

The Spencer's Mountain Series, Book 2

By: Earl Hamner

Narrated by: Milton Bagby

Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

When Clay-Boy’s father fails to return home on Christmas Eve, Clay-Boy takes to the snowy Virginia hills in search of him, leaving his worried family to keep watch at the homestead. Along the way, he meets an irate deer, a threatening county sheriff, a congregation of African American churchgoers, and two elderly women who happen to be bootleggers. The story of Clay-Boy’s search for his father is told with warmth and intensity.

Along with its prequel, Spencer’s Mountain, The Homecoming was the inspiration for the popular television show The Waltons, which starred Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned and ran for nine years between 1972 and 1981. More than 50 years after its publication, this novel still has the power to move and inspire.

©1973 by McCalls Publishing, renewed 2001 by Earl Hamner (P)2021 by Blackstone Publishing

A story of genuine, love and gratitude.

I woke up at 1:01 in the morning today, and couldn’t fall asleep. After searching around on YouTube for something I might want to watch, I came across The Homecoming, the TV special based on this book. I noticed in the opening credits that it was based on a novel, and so I decided to check and see if it was available in audiobook format, and was delighted to see that it is!

I have listened to it all day, and it has made my day bright and peaceful, despite getting very little sleep last night.

Milton Bagby’s narration is spot-on. His pacing is perfect, his rich voice is soothing, and he does a great job of distinguishing voices, even though he doesn’t create individual voices, per se. Hammer used a lot of dialogue tags, so I knew who is speaking.

My favorite part is the scene in Hawthorne‘s church on Christmas Eve. I don’t think I’ve ever read or heard of such a genuine worship experience, outside out of the original nativity.

This book is perfect for anyone who is looking for a sense of joy and peace in their day, especially someone who believes hard times will always be part of the human experience. This isn’t true. Friendship, stories, and above all, the love of Jesus, bring meaning to life and make it sweet. I am so grateful for this addition to my Audible library. I wish I could give this 10 stars.

Put Me In The Christmas Spirit

This one was the basis for The Waltons Christmas special that ran every year when I was young. The book is very slightly different from the TV movie, but less so than the vast majority of book adaptations. The biggest difference is the names. In the book it’s the Spencers, not the Waltons and the star is Clay Boy, not John Boy. But overall, it’s very similar and very enjoyable. I’d highly recommend it to anyone, but especially those of us who grew up seeing The Waltons at Christmas every year. The wishes and hopes of a Depression Era family at Christmas really put in perspective how lucky most of us are today.

A lovely Christmas story

I live this book. I like the TV movie even better and am so grateful that it inspired The Waltons. My life is definitely richer because of this story and the TV series. Rest in peace, Earl Hamner. You made the world a better place.

Stands the test of Time

I grew up in the hills of a hollow in wisc in the 60s. My life was very much like this. 6 bothers and sisters, I'm the last now the youngest. my mother and aunts and uncles were all born at home. First time reading it. was surprised how Hollywood stayed true to the TV movie. I remember when it aired. The narrator was good, not great he seemed to lack a certain style. Other then that it was a fine performance.

I'm thankfull Audible had it for free.