The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

A Novel

By: Rachel Joyce

Narrated by: Jim Broadbent

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Advance praise for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

“When it seems almost too late, Harold Fry opens his battered heart and lets the world rush in. This funny, poignant story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey moved and inspired me.”—Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank

“There’s tremendous heart in this debut novel by Rachel Joyce, as she probes questions that are as simple as they are profound: Can we begin to live again, and live truly, as ourselves, even in middle age, when all seems ruined? Can we believe in hope when hope seems to have abandoned us? I found myself laughing through tears, rooting for Harold at every step of his journey. I’m still rooting for him.”—Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife

“Marvelous! I held my breath at his every blister and cramp, and felt as if by turning the pages, I might help his impossible quest succeed.”—Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

“Harold’s journey is ordinary and extraordinary; it is a journey through the self, through modern society, through time and landscape. It is a funny book, a wise book, a charming book—but never cloying. It’s a book with a savage twist—and yet never seems manipulative. Perhaps because Harold himself is just wonderful. . . . I’m telling you now: I love this book.”—Erica Wagner, The Times (UK)

“The odyssey of a simple man . . . original, subtle and touching.”—Claire Tomalin, author of Charles Dickens: A Life

©2012 Rachel Joyce (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"When it seems almost too late, Harold Fry opens his battered heart and lets the world rush in. This funny, poignant story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey moved and inspired me." (Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank)

"There's tremendous heart in this debut novel by Rachel Joyce, as she probes questions that are as simple as they are profound: Can we begin to live again, and live truly, as ourselves, even in middle age, when all seems ruined? Can we believe in hope when hope seems to have abandoned us? I found myself laughing through tears, rooting for Harold at every step of his journey. I'm still rooting for him." (Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife)

"Marvelous! I held my breath at his every blister and cramp, and felt as if by turning the pages, I might help his impossible quest succeed." (Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand)

Don't Pass This One By!!!

I must say, I truly, thoroughly enjoyed listening to "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". From start to finish, it is a beautiful story of hope and forgiveness. The author, Rachel Joyce, has you completely envisioning Harold and the characters he meets along the way. You find yourself quietly cheering for Harold as he makes his long journey. There are such tender moments in the story that you feel your heart will, at times, break. The descriptive manner in which the author describes feelings, actions, and places makes you almost feel like you are there with Harold (and his wife, Maureen). Jim Broadbent's narration is fabulous and distinct, fluid and precise...so easy to listen to. My heart was touched by this story...and I was left wanting to follow the (main) characters further down their paths in life. Don't pass this one by!!

Wonderful story and wonderful way to tell it

Thoroughly enjoyed this unlikely story. It truly runs the thought process and emotions and personalities of human beings. The epiphanies and understanding that people are just who they are and that we all walk through life with own stories and struggles. The way the story walks us through all it was just a joy.

a book that will stay with me long after its done

this book was beautiful. you felt like you were with the characters. they were likable and you could feel their joy and pain. would highly recommend

A fascinating journey

This is a highly character-driven story, but in some ways reminded me very much of “The Gentleman from Moscow.”

It explores the internal life and history of a man as he struggles to figure out what his place in the world has become, especially in relation to those he loves.

You would think that a story about a man who goes out for a 500-mile walk would become tedious at times, much as the walk itself would be. But it was far from it.

The people he met along the way stuck with him and with me. His experiences, his self-doubt, his hopes for the future, his worries from the past—they all blend together with every step that he takes and form the entirety of who he is.

Well done! I highly recommend this book.

Harold

Somewhat hard to get into the story, but well worth the read! Reminded to live in the moment with thankfulness for the blessings that are right before our nose!

Brilliant

Would you listen to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry again? Why?

Think so.

What other book might you compare The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry to and why?

Not a comparison book, an original about a man's vulnerable journey.

What about Jim Broadbent’s performance did you like?

He's amazing and I don't like 99% or readers.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, both. I am moved when there is characterological change in a book. This man changes after a lifetime of holding back.

Wonderful

What a great story this was I could not stop listening , great narrator and clever story about people's lives - really worth a listen - sorry it's finished .

Initially boring but does turn around

Would you listen to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry again? Why?

No, the beginning of the book is just too boring.

Which scene was your favorite?

Harold was writing to the girl in the garage and we discovered his son had died.

If you could rename The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, what would you call it?

Real Life

Any additional comments?

I almost turned this book off but I'm so glad I didn't. The last half of the book was great, totally unexpected.

great book

loved this book. well worth the read. great ending. listened to it twice.

Thought provoking and inspirational

My mind tended to wander which was challenging given the many flashbacks. The volume of the book seemed low to me; I had trouble hearing/understanding the words sometimes, even on maximum volume. Great story. Just twisty and thoughtful enough for a real-life look at love, relationships, and healing.