Spencer's Mountain by Earl Hamner, Jr.

 

"Once in a while a child comes along with a hungry look in his eye. He's not content just to memorize facts. He wants to know, he has an inquiring mind, and everything he learns only whets his appetite to learn more. Your son is such a boy, Mr. Spencer. I've taught him everything I know and he's still hungry."

      -Miss Parker, from the novel

I was quite a fan of "The Waltons" TV series back in the day so when I noted that this novel inspired the series, I wanted to read it. 

The novel is set in rural Virginia during the Great Depression. Clay and Olivia Spencer have a very large family, eventually 9 children. (Oh, my gosh! How did she cope?) The oldest is 15-year-old Clay-Boy who is very smart and an excellent student, as noted by his teacher in the quote. There is a chance for him to get a scholarship at the University of Richmond but how will the family who subsists on so little afford his expenses? Fortunately, his father values education for his young 'uns and will go to great lengths to give Clay-Boy this opportunity.

There were some parts of the novel that reminded me of "The Waltons." One was when the siblings and parents were calling out extended "good nights" to each other. I think the episodes often ended with this ritual. Also, the two old maid sisters---Etta and Emma Peabody---were familiar. They told Grandfather Zebulon Spencer, they stay busy "maken the recipe" for folks in the community.

Having read Spencer's Mountain almost makes me want to hunt up some reruns of "The Waltons." I have rated the book a 4. It was an enjoyable read.