The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - DISCUSSION

[Jane]

Ruth, Both parents were paralyzed by fear when their son seemed to be drowning. It's just that Maureen shifts the story to place the blame entirely on Harold. Somewhat a sexist response, but also an indication of other ways in which she feels that Harold has failed her. It's heartbreaking really. Harold is all too ready to believe the narrative she creates about this incident. His own lack of parental love clearly affects Harold's ability to be the parent he wants to be to his son. I guess I'd say that our reality is intimately connected to the narratives we tell ourselves...but it also tied to the narratives that others tell us about ourselves or about the experiences we share together.

[Sue]

Ruth wrote: "The book keeps returning to incident at the beach with his son. Do you think it's representative of Harold’s fears about himself? In what ways do those fears reflect the reality?"

Interesting how the interpretation of that changed slightly with each recall of the events and as Howard moved further away from home (literally and figuratively). He seemed to be able to forgive his failings by the end of the walk and even see them in a slightly different light.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

One of my favorite parts of the book was when Maureen wondered to herself why she didn't rescue her son. I loved the scales falling from her eyes. And how it allowed her to forgive Harold and herself as well.

[Sue]

Sherry wrote: "One of my favorite parts of the book was when Maureen wondered to herself why she didn't rescue her son. I loved the scales falling from her eyes. And how it allowed her to forgive Harold and herse..."

Totally agree.

[Gina]

It wasn't a book I would have chosen for myself, but I'm glad I read it. It's a story of coming back to life after numbing yourself for years. I think a lot of people can relate to that when going through heartache. I just saw there is another book out, just on reviews to this book. 100 Unexpected Statements about the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Thought that was very interesting. Has anyone seen it?

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Cancer is a living death. So was Maureen's and Harold's lives. But their living death was being caused by fear of personal responsibility - having made mistakes they became cowardly; grew fearful of real death and destruction and waste, fear of mistakes and blame, fear of the unknown.

In avoiding life's painful pitfalls, they robbed themselves of serendipity, unexpected fun, and being the kind of responsible which brings the benefits of directing your future and pushing forward for the things which give life meaning. There is a difference of experience if you live life as if it were about taking a complete vitamin pill daily to sustain you, or cooking a meal with a friend using real fresh produce and meats and spices, collaborating and tasting and guessing.

Thankfully, Harold lived in his flesh and blood for the first time, instead of as a ghost haunting his body.

I loved this book.

[Rohail]

This was a refreshing read . True , I agree this isn't entirely original but Joyce's writing has an incredible flow to it .
At first I thought this was a children's book ,based on the title , artwork , primarily , but this is marvelous ! A good read indeed !