Such a Warm Wonderful Story

I read The Homecoming many years ago in the 1970’s when I saw the movie by the same name. At that time, I was just a child, and I immediately fell in love with this story. However, due to my young age, I didn't have a true appreciation of it. I was too naïve to understand the profound depth of love that emanated from this family.

Now, as I read it again, I am deeply touched by the love that this family shared. It becomes evident how crucial it was for Clay Spencer to be home for Christmas. The story beautifully portrays the significance of family and the warmth that comes with being together during the holiday season.

This is truly a Christmas story that should not be missed. It stands as a classic in its own right, captivating readers of all ages with its heartwarming tale of love, sacrifice, and the importance of family. Whether you are young or old, this story is sure to leave a lasting impression and remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.

Over the years, I had seen "The Waltons" TV show, but not very often. However, in the last year, my husband and I watched the whole series from start to finish. Our dog Blondie was with us. Even though she wasn't following the plot and was just sleeping like all dogs do, I'll always remember her being there.

I told my husband that as a kid, I was upset after watching a Christmas episode because a broken doll was wrapped as a gift to Elizabeth from a charity lady. I kept wondering if it was my imagination or if I really saw it. After finishing all the seasons, I started to doubt. Last weekend, we watched Earl Hamner Jr.'s "The Homecoming" book on DVD, and alas, I found the broken doll episode from this 1971 made-for-TV movie. What made me upset as a child at this scene? I thought it was a little scary because it was a night scene, and the idea of a broken present given to a kid was awfully sad!

My parents divorced when I was in the second grade, and my mom worked. She made ends meet with limited help from my dad. I never felt poor, but I'm sure we were a bit. I was disgusted when at school, my mom signed me up for free lunches. The other kids knew who received them, and although I wasn't teased, I suppose I had pride. I only took a couple of these lunches, and the last straw was a cold hot dog. I had no idea if it was cooked and cold or uncooked, but the idea repulsed me. So why do I mention this? In regards to the charity in Hamner's book, the Depression years were extremely hard compared to my so-called picnic 1970's. I must say the book presented the charity lady in a better light than the movie. There was a special part in the book where the city lady gave gifts. Not all were like the broken doll that couldn't stay fixed, but a nice coat was given to a young man that everyone said was slower.

The cover is misleading because in the movie, the kids are all the same actors, but except for Ellen Corbey as the grandmother, the rest are different. It was enjoyable, but I must say the "The Waltons" cast was the best. Michael Lerner was a wonderful Olivia, and Patricia Neal seemed a bit off. The names are all different, but the characters' personalities are basically the same. The book and movie are very similar, but the book is much better, though there isn't much room to develop the characters more. There is a poignant part in the book where Clay-Boy (John-Boy) has an encounter with a trapped deer. Also, the mother in the book is more understanding than in this movie, and the series' Olivia was more understanding and kind-hearted regarding the elderly old maid sisters.

This is a Christmastime story with a community that has spirit all year around and the American Depression present, but with a positive view of life. Though times are hard, the family and friends are their strength.

This is a heartwarming short novel that Walton fans and all who like honest to goodness stories with a heart will enjoy!

SPOILER ALERT

Olivia in the movie was very angry at the old maid sisters because they are bootleggers and she thought whisky was brought into her home. In the book, Olivia doesn't approve of the bootlegging but is more understanding. In the book, the whiskey will be used only for her special cake frosting.

The father comes home, but in the movie, he states he will find a job at home instead of working far away. There was no accident with a bus and wondering if he is alive, just where is he. The grandparents in this book are not fraternal but maternal.

This is not an extremely well-written story. Instead, it is simple and quick, suitable for a part of a summer afternoon or perhaps the days leading up to Christmas.

During a lazy summer afternoon, when the sun is warm and the breeze is gentle, you might pick up this tale. It doesn't require a great deal of concentration, allowing you to relax and unwind.

Or, in the days before Christmas, when the excitement is building and you need a short break from the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, this simple story can provide a moment of tranquility.

It may not be a masterpiece, but it has its own charm, offering a brief escape into a different world, even if only for a short while.

I've always had a deep love for the TV movie, and I've long desired to read the book.

I specifically saved this particular one for Christmas Day, and it truly was a wonderful treat.

Of course, as I was reading, I couldn't help but picture the cast from the show. However, I had to put in some effort to figure out which personality corresponded to which name, considering that the names of the children are different in the book and one boy was removed from the movie.

I can clearly understand why this story was selected for a holiday special. It is extremely heartwarming and fills one with a sense of nostalgia.

Earl Hamner definitely possessed an extraordinary talent for using words to create a captivating and touching narrative. His ability to bring the story to life on the page is truly remarkable.

Overall, reading this book on Christmas Day was a memorable experience that added to the joy and warmth of the holiday season.

Almost just like the movie, the scene before my eyes was truly captivating.

The vivid colors, the detailed scenery, and the perfect lighting all combined to create an atmosphere that was both enchanting and immersive.

It was as if I had been transported into a different world, one that was filled with excitement and wonder.

Every little detail seemed to be carefully crafted, from the smallest pebble on the ground to the tallest building in the distance.

The characters, too, were brought to life in a way that was truly remarkable. Their expressions, their movements, and their voices all added to the overall realism of the scene.

It was almost impossible to believe that this was not actually a movie set, but rather a real place that I was experiencing for myself.

As I stood there, taking it all in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the beauty and artistry that was on display.

It was a moment that I would never forget, and one that would stay with me for a long time to come.

The Homecoming (Buccaneer Books, 1970) is a charming and homespun family tale that unfolds under the "cold Virginia sky" of Spencer's Mountain. Written by Earl Hamner, Jr., this story became the basis for the made-for-TV movie that launched The Waltons, and it has been a beloved December staple in many households, including ours. But just how closely does the movie, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971), follow the book?

Starring Richard Thomas as John Boy and Patricia Neal as Olivia, the movie's storyline is quite faithful to the book. However, there are some differences in the names of the characters. In the movie, it's Clay-Boy, Matt, Becky, Shirley, Mark, Luke, John, and Pattie-Cake Spencer instead of John-Boy, Jason, Mary Ellen, Erin, Ben, Jim-Bob, and Elizabeth Walton. And the eccentric Mamie and Emily Baldwins in the book are replaced by Misses Etta and Emma Staples sisters in the movie.

The usual characters from the book also make an appearance in the film, sometimes in slightly altered forms. For example, Ike Godsey isn't a storekeeper in the book but rather a restauranter, chef, bartender, bouncer, and pool hall owner. We also meet Sheriff Ep Bridges, preacher Hawthorne Dooley, the "backwoods Robin Hood" - Charlie Sneed, and even Chance the cow, just as in the movie.

There are a few characters in the book who don't appear in the movie, such as Birdshot Sprouse, a tall, obliging, not-too-bright boy who tells the Spencer (Walton) children about the "city lady" with a Missionary Box of Christmas gifts "down at the post office."

Overall, the movie follows the book closely, often lifting dialogue and plot directly from the pages. For instance, little Pattie Cake's wish that her daddy could fly, Olivia's Christmas cactus, Clay boy's complaint about being an old mother duck, Becky's snarl at her brother, Olivia stirring her applesauce cake and singing/humming O Little Town of Bethlehem, the bickering kids, Livy's declaration that the family doesn't accept charity, and Daddy Walton's observation to young Clay Boy about how news got to the North Pole that he wanted to be a writer.

The basic plot of the book is as follows: On a cold Christmas Eve during the Depression in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, while waiting for their Daddy's arrival, matriarch Olivia Spencer sends 15-year-old Clay-Boy out to search for his father. The clan patriarch, Clay Spencer, is a complex man, different from the John Walton later portrayed by Ralph Waite. He is a crack shot, a good provider, an honest man, an enthusiastic drinker, a prodigious dancer, a fixer of things, a builder, a singer, a teller of bawdy stories, a kissing, hugging, loving man who isn't ashamed to cry.

Unlike in the movie, there's no mention of a bus going off the road. Clay Sr. is simply late for no apparent reason. Olivia and her brood of eight, along with Grandpa Homer and Grandma Ida, have no news of Clay's delayed arrival and can only wait. Later, Olivia sends young Clay Boy out to look for his father.

While searching for his father, Clay Boy runs into Sheriff Bridges at Ike Godsey's pool hall. The Sheriff has arrested Charlie Sneed for "hunten out of season," not for stealing food from local merchants as in the movie. The verbal exchange between Charlie and the swaggering Sheriff Bridges is almost identical to the one in the book.

Clay-Boy gets a ride to the turn off of the First Abyssinian Baptist Church from Sheriff Bridges and has to walk the rest of the way in the dark due to the road conditions. In the snow and darkness, he is guided to the church by the sound of singing It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and is invited in by black preacher Hawthorne Dooley. At the end of the Christmas Eve service, Dooley offers Clay Boy a ride on his horse, General, to the Staples' home in search of Clay, Sr.

After being entertained by a rehearsal of the charms of Ashley Longworth and Enrico Caruso on the Staples' Victrola, Clay Boy accepts a horse-drawn sleigh ride home from Misses Etta and Emma. The sisters give him a Mason jar of recipe, not eggnog as in the movie. When he arrives home, Clay Boy presents the jar to his mother, who says she'll use it to make frosting for her applesauce cake. The recipe for both the cake and the frosting is included in the back of the book.

Daddy Walton finally arrives home after 1:00 a.m. on Christmas Day. After the children open the gifts he has brought, little Pattie cake notices that he didn't get anything. Gently, Clay lifts the little girl in his arms and looks around the room at his family, saying, "Sweetheart, I've got Christmas every day of my life in you kids and your mama." He then turns to Olivia and asks, "Did you ever see such thoroughbreds?"

The Homecoming is an engaging and endearing story that you can easily finish in an afternoon. It's especially enjoyable when paired with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows, while curled up in front of a fireplace.

Oompa

Oompa is a rather unique and interesting term. It could potentially refer to a character, a sound, or something else entirely. The origin of the word might be mysterious, adding an air of intrigue.

Perhaps there is a story behind the name Oompa. Maybe it is associated with a fictional world or a particular event. It could have a special meaning within a specific context.

The sound of "Oompa" itself is quite distinct. It has a certain rhythm and cadence that can capture one's attention. It might bring to mind images of something lively or energetic.

Overall, Oompa is a word that sparks curiosity and invites further exploration. Whether it is used in a creative work, a game, or simply as a random thought, it has the potential to add a touch of fun and mystery to any situation.

Who knows what adventures or discoveries might await those who encounter the word Oompa? It could lead to new ideas, friendships, or even a whole new world of imagination.

So, the next time you hear or see the word Oompa, take a moment to think about its possibilities and let your mind wander. You might be surprised at where it takes you.

I had never read this book, even though it had been sitting on my shelf for a full 20 years.

Finally, I decided to pick it up. The reason was that one of the popsugar prompts for 2018 was to read a book by an author whose first or last name was the same as mine.

To my surprise and delight, I absolutely loved this little book. It was truly a gem. It was comforting, as if a warm embrace on a cold winter's night. It was also full of hope, making me believe that better things were always around the corner.

Moreover, it was filled with joy and love, which could easily touch the deepest part of my heart. Reading this book put me in the perfect mood for Christmas, making me feel the magic and spirit of the holiday season.

I'm so glad that I finally discovered this wonderful book and can't wait to share it with others.

A truly remarkable story gave birth to a television show that has been adored by millions, namely The Waltons. This show, with its simple yet engaging writing, serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of family. It takes us into the lives of the Walton family, showing us their joys, sorrows, and the unwavering bond that holds them together through thick and thin. The characters are so well-developed that we can't help but feel a part of their lives. We witness their daily struggles, their triumphs, and the values that they uphold. It's a story that touches the heart and makes us realize that in this fast-paced world, family is truly the most precious thing. The Waltons has become a classic, beloved by generations, and it continues to inspire us to cherish and nurture our own families.

This is a classic Christmas story that holds multiple layers.

On one hand, it serves as a vivid picture of life in the 1930s, depicting the hardships and joys of that era.

It is also a coming of age tale, showing the growth and transformation of the characters.

Moreover, it is a heartwarming holiday story that fills the reader with the spirit of Christmas.

The story is filled with beautiful vignettes that seem to transport us to another world.

The way it pictures life during the depression is both realistic and touching.

It is not overly sentimental or sappy, but rather moving in a genuine way.

Reading this story is a great way to prepare for Christmas Day, as it reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday.

It makes us appreciate the simple things in life and the importance of family and friends.

Overall, this is a wonderful story that is sure to become a favorite during the Christmas season.

This is a truly remarkable American classic that holds a special place in the hearts of many. It served as the inspiration for the beloved TV series, The Waltons.

The story unfolds as a heartwarming and timeless Depression Era Christmas drama. It takes us back to a simpler time, yet one filled with hardships and challenges.

The characters are so well-developed that we can't help but become emotionally invested in their lives. We experience their joys, sorrows, and the power of family and community during difficult times.

This classic piece of literature or film has the ability to touch our souls and remind us of the importance of love, kindness, and togetherness. It is a story that will be cherished for generations to come.

I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and moving tale that captures the essence of the holiday spirit.

Heartwarming classic for the holidays

I am a child of the 70's and grew up watching The Walton's. This TV show was such an important part of my childhood. It taught me about family values, love, and kindness. The characters were so real and relatable, and I always felt like I was a part of their lives.

When I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. It brought back so many memories of those cozy winter nights spent watching The Walton's with my family. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations and heartwarming stories that are perfect for the holiday season.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves classic TV shows and heartwarming stories. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and remember the importance of family and love. Merry Christmas!