Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn’t seen or heard from … from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.
Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce’s remarkable debut. Harold Fry is determined to walk six hundred miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live.
Still in his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold embarks on his urgent quest across the countryside. Along the way he meets one fascinating character after another, each of whom unlocks his long-dormant spirit and sense of promise. Memories of his first dance with Maureen, his wedding day, his joy in fatherhood, come rushing back to him—allowing him to also reconcile the losses and the regrets. As for Maureen, she finds herself missing Harold for the first time in years.
And then there is the unfinished business with Queenie Hennessy.
A novel of unsentimental charm, humor, and profound insight into the thoughts and feelings we all bury deep within our hearts, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry introduces Rachel Joyce as a wise—and utterly irresistible—storyteller.
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An unimpressive retiree living a humdrum life is suddenly pushed out of his comfort zone and goes on a highly unlikely walking journey after receiving a mysterious letter. A spiritual journey or an act of desperation? Putting one foot in front of the other leads to hardships but also heartwarming encounters along the road.
I loved this book. It was different, and pure in a way that fed something in me. The characters were individual in a way that made them real. I will read this again!
Excellent characters. Harold pulled me with him every step of the journey.
This book roped me in from the start! The characters were well formed and the story moved you along so that you didn’t want it to end. But you want to know how it ends.
I wasn’t sure if this book sounded interesting, but was scooped up into this story.
A lovely story, sort of a “coming of age” story for a retiree. Very sweet, unpredictable, feel good.
Slow read in the middle
Rachel Joyce does a fantastic job with THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY. And the title says it well. The book is an unlikely story. An almost “boring” man, yet his pilgrimage makes him anything but boring. The experiences he has and the reasons why he does what he does, not only change him permanently, they also change the reader permanently. …
whimsically frustrating, but I think that was the idea. Enjoyed the read.
I loved it!! Lovable characters and beautiful story
I love this book. It was Delightful to see a story of someone deciding to take a risk in their life without realizing what they are doing or where it will take them. The adventure was wonderful.
This was a very thought provoking book. How does the handling of situations affect the rest of your life? Some people do awful things and can move on without a burden. I would hope this is not true of most people. Harold and his wife both are the type that are living with the implications of the actions they took years ago. Harold has gotten to a …
Loved this book. Such a sweet story. Another one that makes you want to read it all in one sitting. Characters were so believeable, you were drawn right into the story.
Kind of philosophical.
Introspective- made me think about my own personality in relation to societal expectations and ingrained habits
I got bogged down in the middle of this book and nearly abandoned it. I felt it went on a bit too long. Glad that it had a happy ending, but I grew weary of his bedraggled struggle.
I have not read a book like this before! So unique! I love the transformation that takes place in the characters. Then the stunning reality of the focus of Harold’s quest.
This was fun. I found myself relating and anxious to get to my characters when I was away.
It is not my usual genre, no murder or mayhem, but it is a very good book, perhaps more of a woman’s read.
Kind of slow