From the Bookshelf of Around The World…

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry, #1)

Rachel Joyce

Start date: September 30, 2018

Finish date: October 2, 2018

Why we're reading this: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
5★

Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a s…more
[close] The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
5★

Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning a letter arrives, addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl, from a woman he hasn’t heard from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye. But before Harold mails off a quick reply, a chance encounter convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. In his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold Fry embarks on an urgent quest. Determined to walk six hundred miles to the hospice, Harold believes that as long as he walks, Queenie will live.

I would give this book 10 stars if there was anyway to add them. Harold is what might be described as "below average". Not much ever happens to this unpretentious little man...and then the letter arrives. This starts Harold on the journey of several hundred miles. The idea came to him on his way to simply mail a letter to a dying old friend...thus starts Harold's adventure and your start to a story that will stay with you perhaps forever. I have read that Rachel Joyce's debut novel originated in 2006 as a radio play when her father was diagnosed with cancer: "I think it was a way of trying to keep him alive.". On his journey, he meets a lot of characters... becomes something of a celebrity and learns a little bit more about the meaning of life. I think I have to agree with the expressed sentiment "Maybe it’s what the world needs. A little less sense, and a little more faith.”

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Aug 29, 2012 Booknblues rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, contemporary-fiction, england

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
By Rachel Joyce
5 stars and a heart
pp. 320

Redemption, how many of us want a chance at it? Would we jump at it like a passing rope swing and grab on tightly or would we just watch as it swings to a halt and let the time pass us by. The protagonists of Rachel Joyce’s new novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry had that chance and he grabbed the swing. His name of course is Harold Fry.

Harold is an ordinary sort of bloke, a retired salesman, sort of aimless a The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
By Rachel Joyce
5 stars and a heart
pp. 320

Redemption, how many of us want a chance at it? Would we jump at it like a passing rope swing and grab on tightly or would we just watch as it swings to a halt and let the time pass us by. The protagonists of Rachel Joyce’s new novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry had that chance and he grabbed the swing. His name of course is Harold Fry.

Harold is an ordinary sort of bloke, a retired salesman, sort of aimless and if he was a woman we would call him frumpy. He seems to be estranged from his wife and son and when he receives a letter from an old co-worker which informs him that she, Queenie is dying of cancer, he begins walking. He decides that if he walks to her she will live and so begins his journey from one end of England to another.

Coincidentally, Rachel Joyce began writing the play on which the book was based for her father who was dying of cancer, hoping that he would get to see her work. Sadly he didn’t but perhaps this makes the book all the more poignant.

Rachel Joyce seems to have the ability to capture the little moments and make them grander and can encapsulate all the sad pitfalls in a relationship, so we can examine how things can go terribly wrong for the most well-meaning. While sitting at a restaurant Harold over hears the couple at the next table:

“He was interrupted by the couple at the next table. They had raised their voices. Harold wanted to get away, but there appeared to be no safe slice of silence in which he might stand and excuse himself.

The woman who loved Jane Austen said, “Do you think it was funny cooped up here with a broken leg?” Her husband kept on looking at his map as if she had not spoken, and she continued to speak as if he was not ignoring her. “I never want to come here again.”

Harold wished the woman would stop. He wished the man would smile or take hold of her hand. he thought of himself and Maureen and the years of silence at 13 Fossebridge Road. Had Maureen ever felt the impulse to say where everyone could hear such truths about their marriage? The thought had never occurred to him before, and was so alarming he was already on his feet and heading for the door. The couple didn’t seem to notice that Harold had gone.”

In truth, this is a lovely book. It examines the relationship between Harold and his wife Maureen in such a quiet understated way. I love that in so many ways they have such ordinary lives which they have let slip away, like sand through their fingers and then are given this second chance by Harold walking to Queenie.

I know perhaps, not everyone will love this as much as I did. I’ve read an opinion that found it predictable, while I didn’t see it that way at all. I found many surprises and loved Harold’s journey, but then I am always a sucker for a good trip. I think though if one takes the time to absorb the quiet and kind statements of this book , its brilliance shines through. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2018 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Really interesting read! Harold receives a letter informing him a former coworker is dying from cancer. After hearing this news Harold embarks on a walking pilgrimage to "save" Queenie. Along the way he learns about himself, recovers forgotten memories, and meets several people that urge him along. His wife also learns much about herself, her marriage and her husband. All in all it was a great read and you really were on the journey with Harold. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 31, 2017 Sheila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved this book. I got so caught up in Harold's journey to save Queenie. I got angry when others wanted to join his journey. I liked that both Harold and Maureen had to look at themselves and their marriage while Harold was on his walk. Seeing them look honestly at their marriage especially their son and the last 20 years was cathartic. I cried. I laughed. This book is a keeper. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 13, 2016 Connie D rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars
I have to admit that when I read the plot of this book and heard the protagonist, in his 60s, decided to set out on a long walk, I thought the book would be a bit boring. It isn't a fast~ moving story and yet it is captivating. I found myself really caring about this ineffectual retired man (and his wife at home experiencing similar revelations). There are ghosts in their closets, and they relive both the mistakes and the joys that they've been missing for so long. There are also myster ...more

Like · see review

Dec 02, 2014 Rachel N. rated it liked it

Harold Fry receives a letter from an old colleague, Queenie Hennessey, informing Harold that she is dying of cancer. Harold sets out to mail her a letter and ends up deciding to walk the length on England to visit Queenie believing this will keep her alive. The story is about Harold and his walk and Harold's wife Maureen who he leaves behind and the troubles they have had in their marriage. A rather poignant and bittersweet book. ...more

Like · see review

Mar 14, 2012 Sheila marked it as to-read

Oct 12, 2013 Michelle (MichelleBookAddict) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, movie-or-tv-show

Apr 12, 2016 Marnie rated it really liked it

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls