Title: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Author: Rachel Joyce
Copyright: March 15, 2012
Genre: fiction
Format: book Pages: 320
This was a book club selection for August. I checked it out of the library since all of the digital copies were out.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old friend in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance.
Recently retired, sweet, emotionally numb Harold Fry is jolted out of his passivity by a letter from Queenie Hennessy, an old friend, who he hasn’t heard from in twenty years. She has written to say she is in hospice and wanted to say goodbye. Leaving his tense, bitter wife Maureen to her chores, Harold intends a quick walk to the corner mailbox to post his reply but instead, inspired by a chance encounter, he becomes convinced he must deliver his message in person to Queenie–who is 600 miles away–because as long as he keeps walking, Harold believes that Queenie will not die.
So without hiking boots, rain gear, map or cell phone, one of the most endearing characters in current fiction begins his unlikely pilgrimage across the English countryside. Along the way, strangers stir up memories–flashbacks, often painful, from when his marriage was filled with promise and then not, of his inadequacy as a father, and of his shortcomings as a husband.
Ironically, his wife Maureen, shocked by her husband’s sudden absence, begins to long for his presence. Is it possible for Harold and Maureen to bridge the distance between them? And will Queenie be alive to see Harold arrive at her door?
My Thoughts:
I thought this book started out fine and then slowed for me a little bit then about half way through it picked up a bit and then I began to enjoy the story. I liked reading about the small English village in which Harold lived. But the mystery of Harold’s relationship with Queenie piqued my interest throughout the book.
Reading about the people that Harold meets along the way, was also moved the story along. Something that seemed so crazy like walking such a distance began to unfold into much more. The solitary walks gave Harold time to work through his life issues and to really connect with nature. They helped him to explore the relationship between Harold and his wife, Harold and Queenie and Harold with the people he meets on his journey.
I would not ordinarily pick up this book to read but that is the beauty of a book club. They can take you out of your comfort zone. That said, I would like to give this book 3 butterflies.
Happy Reading!
Belinda
Hello everyone! Happy Monday! This morning I had to drop off my oldest for his first day at his new school. Despite all of my efforts, as soon as he began walking from the car, I began to cry. I wish for him a wonderful first day. I know he will be fine but that mommy instinct that wants to protect him from all the mishaps that can take place on a first day is on high alert. So I will just have to hear from him how it went.
In the meantime, as you know, once the boys are in school, I do some of my work at the Barnes and Noble cafe once a week. So today, I have a special work guest…Apollo! He doesn’t begin school until next Wednesday and he loves himself some Chai and scones. So convincing him wasn’t necessary. He packed his backpack last night. He is working on coding while I work on some blog content and production planning.
Apollo is working on some coding. We just came up with an idea of a random puns machine based on some puns we heard on the radio in the car on our way here. So that will be a fun application of the skills he has acquired to date. He has taken a strong interest and has been self teaching himself daily. It has been amazing to watch ho fast his skills have advanced.
Last year was our first year attending the Boston Comic Con and this weekend it arrived in Boston so we took the boys. It was a flurry of people, comics, costumes and all around fun. I normally don’t like to be in crowds that dense, but I took one for the team! It’s nice when we attend events because work can’t interfere and I love the feel of our little unit. Nick knew exactly what comics he was looking for and I even had a graphic novel in mind for myself. Apollo decided that he would add more Lego figures for his collection so we hunted down tables that sold them.
Apollo spotted The Mystery Machine on our way in to the convention center and we had to stop to take a photo. We still enjoy watching classic Scooby Doo so it was so much fun to see a real live Mystery Machine.
As the boys get older, it might be more challenging to find activities that everyone wants to do. So I am cherishing all these little memories and locking them in my heart for future savoring!