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teriboop's review
4.0
This is the story that inspired The Walton's. In The Homecoming, Earl Hamner Jr. tells the story of the Spencer family who are awaiting their dad's arrival on Christmas eve. It is 1930s depression in rural Virginia and Clay Spencer leaves the family each week to work in a nearby town just to make ends meet. Christmas eve has come and a blizzard is kicking up, Clay is late coming home. This short story reminds the reader that the holidays should be about family and togetherness and not the commercialism that we all seem to get wrapped up in.
It's been a long time since I've watched The Waltons and this story takes me back to my childhood and the wonderful series I use to watch. Hamner is quite a storyteller and paints a clear picture of life during the depression.
It's been a long time since I've watched The Waltons and this story takes me back to my childhood and the wonderful series I use to watch. Hamner is quite a storyteller and paints a clear picture of life during the depression.
canada_matt's review
5.0
An annual reading tradition for me that I am happy to share again with readers.
No holiday season is complete in my household without remembering the story of The Homecoming. When, on Christmas Eve, Clay Spencer has not returned home from his forty mile trek for the holidays, the entire Spencer household is on edge. Olivia pines for her husband's safe return, but cannot put life on hold as she waits. With a brood of eight, she turns to Clay-Boy, her eldest, to take up the role of 'man of the house' at the tender age of fifteen.
As the story progresses, Clay-Boy is not only playing the role of man, but also must engage in a trek to locate his father and bring him home for the holidays. As Christmas Eve turns to night, the Spencers engage in their own family traditions, meagre as they may be in the midst of the Depression. It is not Santa for whom they wait this Christmas of 1933, but Clay and his safe homecoming to spend time with those he cherishes most. Sure to become an annual tradition for holiday reading lists, Hamner Jr. entertains and depicts the era so effectively.
I grew up watching The Homecoming as part of the annual Christmas preparation. The book was on hand, but I never took the time to read it until a few years ago. Doing so, I came to realise how special this story is and the tradition is one I will continue. I wish not to stand on a soapbox, but the holidays are about love and support, not the material things. Hamner Jr. makes that known throughout this novel, as well as in Spencer's Mountain. Do take some time to read them and enjoy all they have to offer.
Kudos, Mr. Hamner Jr., for instilling in me the annual reminder that love trumps all. Merriest of Christmases to all!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
No holiday season is complete in my household without remembering the story of The Homecoming. When, on Christmas Eve, Clay Spencer has not returned home from his forty mile trek for the holidays, the entire Spencer household is on edge. Olivia pines for her husband's safe return, but cannot put life on hold as she waits. With a brood of eight, she turns to Clay-Boy, her eldest, to take up the role of 'man of the house' at the tender age of fifteen.
As the story progresses, Clay-Boy is not only playing the role of man, but also must engage in a trek to locate his father and bring him home for the holidays. As Christmas Eve turns to night, the Spencers engage in their own family traditions, meagre as they may be in the midst of the Depression. It is not Santa for whom they wait this Christmas of 1933, but Clay and his safe homecoming to spend time with those he cherishes most. Sure to become an annual tradition for holiday reading lists, Hamner Jr. entertains and depicts the era so effectively.
I grew up watching The Homecoming as part of the annual Christmas preparation. The book was on hand, but I never took the time to read it until a few years ago. Doing so, I came to realise how special this story is and the tradition is one I will continue. I wish not to stand on a soapbox, but the holidays are about love and support, not the material things. Hamner Jr. makes that known throughout this novel, as well as in Spencer's Mountain. Do take some time to read them and enjoy all they have to offer.
Kudos, Mr. Hamner Jr., for instilling in me the annual reminder that love trumps all. Merriest of Christmases to all!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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