You Can't Get There from Here

by Earl Hamner Jr.

used book, young adult novel

Genres: Fiction

165 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Earl Henry Hamner Jr. (born July 10, 1923 in Schuyler, Virginia), was an American television writer and producer (sometimes credited as Earl Hamner), best known for his work in the 1970s and 1980s on the long-running CBS series The Waltons and Falcon Crest. As a novelist, he was best known for Spencer’s Mountain, which was inspired by his own childhood and formed the basis for both the film of the same name and the television series The Waltons, for which he provided voiceover narration.

Reviews

[Sandy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't see The Waltons when it was first on TV but discovered it years later and love it. The copy of Spencer's Mountain (which the series is loosely based on) in the library was checked out so I got this one instead. It's set in New York. The protagonist is another Earl Hamner stand-in called Wes Scott, a writer, just returned from a summer with his grandparents in Schuyler Va (the real Walton's Mountain). He is looking for his father Joe -- which becomes the theme of a rather rambling book as he goes from place to place in Manhattan, always just missing Joe. The book is in the Southern tradition of tales with quirky characters, humor, lots of description and no real plot but you follow along because it's fun (more fun if you're able to read it to yourself in a southern accent!) Does he ever find Joe? You'll just have to read it to find out.

[Beth Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgia reread of a book I read several times in high school, by the creator of The Waltons. It's a sadder book than I remember, because the main character is searching throughout New York City for his father, who he deeply loves, but who has just been fired from his last job, partly for alcoholism, but partly for an inability to transition from writing for radio to writing for television. At the end, they find each other, and I suppose that's the happy ending.

[Jane R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you liked The Catcher in the Rye, you will probably like You Can't Get There From Here. Earl Hamner takes his experiences in New York and Schuyler, Virginia, and creates a story of a young man running around the city looking for his father, whilst having flashbacks about different people in his life. Plot is pretty weak until near the end, but a nice way to get to know the author.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I couldn't put down. I was in the 8th grade when I read it. I went to the library on a Friday after school, came home and read until dinner time, ate dinner and then read the rest of the book. I don't know what time I went to bed. I try to read this book about every ten years or so. I think I am due for a read. I usually have to get it through an inter-library loan. Someday I am going to have to break down and find myself a used copy.