From the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry comes an exquisite love story about Queenie Hennessy, the remarkable friend who inspired Harold’s cross-country journey.A runaway international bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry followed its unassuming hero on an incredible journey as he traveled the length of England on foot—a journey spurred by a simple letter … on foot—a journey spurred by a simple letter from his old friend Queenie Hennessy, writing from a hospice to say goodbye. Harold believed that as long as he kept walking, Queenie would live. What he didn’t know was that his decision to walk had caused her both alarm and fear. How could she wait? What would she say? Forced to confront the past, Queenie realizes she must write again.
In this poignant parallel story to Harold’s saga, acclaimed author Rachel Joyce brings Queenie Hennessy’s voice into sharp focus. Setting pen to paper, Queenie makes a journey of her own, a journey that is even bigger than Harold’s; one word after another, she promises to confess long-buried truths—about her modest childhood, her studies at Oxford, the heartbreak that brought her to Kingsbridge and to loving Harold, her friendship with his son, the solace she has found in a garden by the sea. And, finally, the devastating secret she has kept from Harold for all these years.
A wise, tender, layered novel that gathers tremendous emotional force, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy underscores the resilience of the human spirit, beautifully illuminating the small yet pivotal moments that can change a person’s life.
Praise for The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy
“In the end, this lovely book is full of joy. Much more than the story of a woman’s enduring love for an ordinary, flawed man, it’s an ode to messy, imperfect, glorious, unsung humanity. . . . [Queenie’s] love song is for us. Thank you, Rachel Joyce.”—The Washington Post
“Destined to change your world. One can’t help but see life, and the end of it, differently after experiencing this novel. Full of wisdom and heart, it will overwhelm its readers with a deep sensitivity.”—Bookreporter
“[A] beguiling follow-up . . . In telling Queenie’s side of the story, Joyce accomplishes the rare feat of endowing her continuing narrative with as much pathos and warmth, wisdom and poignancy as her debut. Harold was beloved by millions; Queenie will be, too.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Delightful and dark . . . But Joyce is so deft that when the book is over and you close the cover, the darkness fades. What sticks with you is the light of Queenie’s unwavering love.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune
“[A] deeply affecting novel . . . Culminating in a shattering revelation, [Queenie’s] tale is funny, sad, hopeful: She’s bound for death, but full of life.”—People
“Joyce’s writing at moments has a simplicity that sings. She captures hope best of all.”—The Guardian
“Joyce has a wonderfully evocative turn of phrase and like her other books this is a delightful read. . . . Uplifting and moving.”—Daily Express
“Joyce nicely calls the book a companion rather than a sequel. But The Love Song is bolder than a retread of the same material from another angle. . . . After two such involving novels, readers are bound to wish for a third.”—The Telegraph
“[Joyce] manages to both add depth to an already strong work and build something new and beautiful upon it.”—The A.V. Club
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A beautiful continuation of the first book.
Though this is the second side of the story, Queenie’s side. And how I an enamored with it all. The progress, the writing, the history between Harold, Queenie and even Harold’s son, David. He plays such a significant role to Queenie’s story, and you really had no idea when you read Harold’s side of things.
It’s beautiful. It’s sad, and it’s poignant.
So many things through me for a loop in the end, but in a good way.
What a wonderful piece of literature!
I know there is one more book, and I must read it.
I enjoyed this read. I wouldn’t call it tragic, but it was sad. Although it was a little long I was eager to get to the end even tho I read about Harold’s pilgrimage prior to this one. The ending was just the best. I would read the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry before reading about Queenie.
This book should be read after reading “ The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Howard Fry”. I love the way the author made people of the nursing home or hospice become real people with histories who all came together in this novel to support Harold Fry and Queenie Hennessy. I do not want to say more because it would spoil the book for others, but they make a lovely read together.
I came across the first Harold Fry book by accident, simply choosing it by its cover and reading the first page while I had a minute to kill waiting on one of my kiddos at the library. I liked the first page or so, and went on to check it out. I am so glad I did! It was slow, but a good, meaningful, thoughtful, life-pondering kind of slow. It in itself felt like a pilgrimage. And THIS book was much the same. The other side of the story, things to return to in my mind. Answers to questions I forgot I’d even had. It summed it up, filled in the blanks, and although I did have disappointment in the last two or three pages, I’m okay with it, and in my heart I have the ending that I prefer, so it’s not a bother. Basically I decided that it ended BEFORE those three pages. SO MANY good quotes that I wrote down in my quote notebooks. Sometimes even whole paragraphs, and that was the case with the first book about Harold as well. I can’t remember how the chapters were titled in the first book, but I loved the little “Preview” type chapter titles in this Queenie book.
This is a human story. The author refers to it as a “companion” book and I like that description. A funny and poignant look at the end of life. As Queenie grows in acceptance of where she is and who she is with, we also grow and learn. The book has sad parts, but also uplifting parts and is very well written. The ending is both surprising and lovely.
Sad but beautiful.
Never saw that ending coming…. great read.
I loved this look. It is a good sequel to “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry”. There was an unexpected ending that I didn’t see coming.
Must read first book with Harold frye as a character to appreciate the sequel
I was delighted to find that there was a companion book to the Harold Fry adventure. It was gently suspenseful, and filled with surprises. I loved the characters. I’ve recommended both books to my bibliophile friends.
I loved this story. It was so well written that I could easily picture Queenie’s garden and then her nursing home. I could almost “hear” the character’s voices. I had hoped for a happy ending, but still the ending was a good one. I definitely recommend this book.
This book has beautifully developed characters and the story is very entertaining. There is a bittersweet theme throughout the book
I loved the way this story is written in parallel to Rachel Joyce’s “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.”
When Queenie wrote to Harold to tell him of her impending death, little did she think that he would try to come visit her! Yet, he’s on his way and wants her to wait for him. But with her friends dying all around her, how long can she hold out hope?
Such a sweet story that goes hand in hand with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
This is a sequel to the Unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Frye. They are both endearing characters that I fell in love with. They were too people that had unlikely relationship that left them both with a quiet, unfulfilled loyalty toward each other until Harold received the letter. These reads are to be savored and revisited. Hope you love these characters as much as I do !
I loved this companion book that shows Queenie’s side of the Harold Fry book by the same author.
This is the follow up of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry which is my favorite book. This is Queenie Hennessy’s story. Loved it too.
I try not to recommend books to friends, but this is one where I needed to share my enjoyment. Truly hated to see it end, but immediately recommended it to a friend and felt better.;
Worth reading if you enjoyed The incredible Journey of Harold Fry
Beautiful writing!