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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel
Unavailable
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel
Unavailable
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel
Audiobook9 hours

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel

Written by Rachel Joyce

Narrated by Jim Broadbent

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • LONGLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST

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 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.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 24, 2012
ISBN9780449012765
Unavailable
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel

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Reviews for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Rating: 3.983455011678832 out of 5 stars
4/5

2,055 ratings312 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Harold Fry is recently retired and not very happy. He and his wife, Maureen, co-habitate, but that is about it. He is a failure as a father, a husband and a son according to himself. One day he receives a letter from an old friend and co-worker who informs him she is dying of cancer in Northern England. He writes back a short note and heads off to mail it. He does not stop walking. He is suddenly walking to see Queenie and is sure she will stay alive until he arrives at the Hospice. Along the way he thinks about his past life, the mistakes he has made, and the opportunities he has missed. He begins to change emotionally and mentally. A reporter meets him and writes an article about his "Pilgrimage" and suddenly Harold is famous. Everyone wants him to visit their town, more people join his walk and become pilgrims as well. Meanwhile, Maureen is involved in a transition of her own. This story accurately depicts what happens to many couples as they age, become empty nesters and retire. The ending was very unexpected and heartwrenching. I will say when I started reading this book, I though it was one of the most depressing stories I had read in a long time, but I am glad I stuck with it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I liked this a lot. It reminded me of something Anne Tyler would write if she were British. Harold is a quirky sort of Everyman who learns about himself and life on his journey. It was well written and even profound at times.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A distant friend of recently retired Harold Fry writes a letter letting him know that she is dying. So begins Harold's pilgrimage. It was a very fascinating adventure of revelation and self-discovery.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Man onderneemt voettocht dwars door Engeland om een ex-collega te bezoeken, die op sterven ligt.Interessant verhaal naast “Het liefdeslied van Queenie”
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I very much liked how the book wrapped up -- which is quite unusual. I've enjoyed reading many books only to be disappointed by the ending. For much of this book I felt frustrated/irritated and wanted to give up, but the ending almost made it worth it. However, if you're interested in a story of an elderly man walking out a window/door one day (or losing a love, etc.), only to discover/realize their selves along the journey, I'd recommend A Man Called Ove instead.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really liked this story even though in some parts it was dragging a bit.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.”
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    3.5 stars
    I love Rachel Joyce and I thought that this was a very thoughtful book that held some surprises. However, in the end, just like "Cold Mountain", I just wanted Harold to get to where he was going. Please. Also, I would just like to say that dogs are more loyal than the one in this book. So there.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    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.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The novel is overall entertaining, the characters are lovable and relatable . It dragged on for me but when in the end I understood the reasons for the couple’s distraught relationship and the role of Queeny and why Harold felt compelled to walk all the way to see Queeny it all made sense to me.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Beautifully written tale of a literal walk across England from Knightsbridge to Berwick-upon-Tweed and an internal journey into the past of a haunted relationship. Harold Fry is an everyman whose tragedies and regrets are as individual as they are intense. He seeks atonement and finds humanity.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What an amazing story; the raw honesty of Harold's journey, his memories and his thoughts make you feel as if you are striding alongside him. This book was tender, funny, heartbreaking and ultimately so full of hope that I wanted to start it all over again when I was done, just to experience the journey again.
    I loved the fact that Joyce found an ending that was hopeful, yet believable; not all wrapped up with a bow but that provided the perfect place to leave Harold's life.
    Bravo!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Had I known what this book was about I wouldn't have read it. It was recommended to me because I enjoyed The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Yes, this book is about a journey, but it is also about cancer. I do not like to read fictional books about subjects like cancer.You'll note that I didn't rate this book high or low. The writing was unexceptional, but interesting enough to allow me to finish reading the book. I found Harold to be somewhat charming, though I found some aspects of his journey to be rather far-fetched. I neither loved it nor hated it, after all.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is an unusual book, and a good read. I could see the truth of one main story threads well before the reveal, but it was still a nice book to read. Great characterisation.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow. I started encouraging others to read this, when I was only half through. By the time I was 3/4 through, I was strongly encouraging them to read this. Today, I finished this wonderful gem, and am adding this author to my watch list. The story was unique, and the writing was very well done.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gorgeously written.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Wouldn't recommend it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a delightful, if quirky novel. I started the book with some doubts about how good a novel can be about an otherwise boring and ordinary 65 year old man deciding to walk 500 miles to keep his friend from dying of terminal cancer. However, if you are like me, you will love this journey. The book is about more than his walk. It's about faith, grief, healing, friendship, love and forgiveness. While the premise seems sad, the book is actually not sad. I found it to be uplifting and the secrets revealed are somewhat unexpected. I am so glad I room the time to read this book and recommend it to others. Reader received a complimentary copy from the publisher.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A great book club read.It took me a while to get into this book, for a number of reasons. I was frustrated with Harold for deciding to walk with so little preparation, with his insistence on keeping to his yachting shoes and his wife's failure to at least find him by car and give him his mobile phone. I also have strong feelings about keeping people alive when they are suffering and, by waiting for him, Queenie must surely have suffered unnecessarily. I was therefore most surprised when my book group were quite so enthusiastic about the book. The resulting discussion led itself, with minimal input from the publisher's questions and I came away having decided to upgrade this to a 4 star read.Harold is retired, his wife has moved into the spare room and his life is dull and unfulfilling. Out of the blue a letter arrives from an old work colleague whom Harold has not seen for 20 years. She writes to tell him that she is dying of cancer and to say farewell. The response that Harold pens is totally inadequate and he hesitates before putting in the post box - he'll just walk on the the next box and post it there......and thus begins an epic journey that takes him the length of England to Berwick upon Tweed. On the way he meets all sorts of folk and has the chance to rethink his life and his relationship with his wife and son. Understandably, his wife is rather baffled by his decision, but she also finds herself spending a lot of time thinking over her marriage and their relationship.I did have to ignore the more practical side of my nature to get the most from this book, but by the time I was half way up England I was rooting for him and his unlikely quest. For me this was definitely one of those books that benefited from discussion after reading.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Well it's pretty unlikely, heh-heh, but a worthy read. Some of the plot elements may be familiar, marital discord, family disfunction erosion of traditional values, but still manages to say something original. Ends up being a real tear-jerker.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Re-read this again for my bookclub, and pleased to have enjoyed it much more, the second time round. This book is a slow reveal. At the start of Harold's journey, he builds his physical and mental strength and looks forward to what's in front of him. But as he approaches his destination, he is forced to examine his sad, at times tragic, backstory. And, it's not just Harold going on a pilgrimage, back home, in the vacuum of his absence, his wife Maureen is also compelled to reflect on the stories she's told herself. The occasionally baggy story highlights beautiful community, uncaring individuals with a nod to exploitation and cynicism. It's a gentle, uplifting and often humourous story of a modest life that's worth sharing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really loved the first 150 pages; then was really annoyed by the section where other people joined in on the pilgrimage, only to be restored to good humour and enjoyment once he was back on his own again.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I seem to be in the minority, but I really didn't like this. I found it overly sweet and manipulative, and it just annoyed me. And I saw the 'twist' at the end coming from a mile away. Bah humbug.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Harold Fry is late 6ish retired former brewery employee who lives in Knightsbridge in the south west of England. He receives a note from a former colleague, Queenie Hennessy, informing him that she is dying of cancer. He writes a note to her and on the way to mailing it he decides to walk the 600 miles to Berwick to visit her. He gets his inspiration and encouragement from a teenager who works in a garage restaurant who talks about her aunt with cancer who survived for a long time on hope.During his walk we get a better understanding of the fractured relationship with his wife Maureen and their son David. We learn about his unhappy childhood and alcoholic father. It is a voyage of self discovery and as he meets people along the road he realizes that most people are very ordinary, good and kind. Maureen goes through a similar epiphany as she unbundles much of her anger towards Harold by determining that she is responsible for much of their estrangement by talking to her recently widowed neighbour Rex. Harold makes it to Berwick and although Queenie is near death, he and Maureen reconcile. The story has several irritants including the impracticality of his journey, his devotion to Queenie and the denouement of the story.The writing is very good and the characters are well done.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    We meet Harold, recently retired, when he receives a letter from Queenie, an old colleague, who is dying of cancer. He pens a short note, sets off to mail it, and bypassing mailboxes, decides he's going to walk the 600+ miles to her. A chance encounter with a girl in a garage convinces him that he must see her in person, believing that as long as he walks, Queenie will live. Harold meets various folks along his walk - so good, some not so much - and he reminisces on his life as he walks. In the end he says goodbye to Queenie, and starts to reconstruct his life with his wife Maureen.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A thoughtful story of Harold Fry walking from Devon to Berwick on Tweed. He is walking to keep Queenie alive, but he leaves Maureen behind. Filled with birth, life, death and all the things between, especially memory. And what is the purpose, what is our role, how should we live, how should we treat others? A deceptively simple tale, not completely perfect, but good. The woodcuts by Andrew Davidson are beautiful.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Brilliant. About a man who decides to walk hundreds of miles to see an old friend who is dying. I won't go into the rest of the plot. The plot is the journey itself. I cried through the last 50 pages, and at the end I laughed. A great end to a great story.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Not a book I would normally choose. I did get emotional in the end, and it is a very well done book, however it's just not my thing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved this book. At first, I thought it would just be sort of a charming, quaint story as only the Brits can write - and indeed on one level it is. But it gets better and better (which I find is a rare thing with books), becoming a tale with a deeper message, and manages to achieve that without resorting to sentimentality. Really a joy to read.