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)

Beautiful Grief

I don’t know if I’ve ever so acutely felt somebody else’s grief through written words. Beautiful story and a flawless performance from the reader.

Fascinating!

Slow moving at times, but always changing and quite moving. I really enjoyed all the different aspects of
Harold’s journey.

Harold fry

a very good story about self reflection, but in some places, I struggled to stay with it. I did so mainly to realize the outcome. over all, I enjoyed this book

Exquisite

A beautiful, human story wrapped in a quirky adventure. Life, death, love, compassion, forgiveness. Jim Broadbent is perfect. Harold Frye is exquisite.

Good for the soul!

The author captures
the memories imprinted on the hearts of a married couple's separate journey. Great narrator!

incredibly done

The story was told amazingly with bittersweet remembrances of the past and wonderings of the future. People will always go through struggles, and Harold Fry is a magnificently relatable character for that reason. The changes of heart and recollection parts of the past are well timed, emotional, and always keep you wondering and hoping that he is going to finish his journey. Phenomenal writing and story telling

Very enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed taking this long walk with Harold Fry. I imagined my own journey and the self-discovery that a quiet and peaceful long walk could bring. I also thought about how the people we meet along the way are bring the spice and flavor to what would otherwise be a very bland course.

More please Mr. Broadbent!

A wonderful narrator! He brought to life all of the characters so clearly, that I could see them as I would have watching a movie. The book transverses time as well as distance. The end was bitter sweet, made me cry and feel the losses and regrets that we all have. I think anyone who listens/reads this will feel that they have taken the journey as well. Well done!

Loving Harold Frye

What made the experience of listening to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry the most enjoyable?

I would just like to admit a little British accent never hurts , so my perception of the narrator was as appreciative listener. As far as the story, it was such an introspective of so many lives which, in later years, look back and wonder what went wrong. The weight of trying something totally out of one's comfort zone,especially when combined with the overwhelming need to help someone else was very powerful. It certainly made me take a look at my 40 years of marriage and I found myself trying to make sure I do not fall into the ways of Maureen. The silence that had crept into Harold and Maureen's marriage was a catalyst for Harold to begin, on the spur of the moment, to imagine he could save a friend he hadn't seen in years from terminal cancer. Of course, the unusual way he does it is the basis for the story. I listened to the story on my commute and it made for an enjoyable daily trip for the last few weeks.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry?

One of the most memorable moments to me was when Harold came face to face with the truth about what happened to David. It made many things clear, while lending a sense of purpose to what Harold was trying to accomplish.

What about Jim Broadbent’s performance did you like?

I liked the subtle change in tone when reading other character pieces without actually affecting different voices. His timbre was perfect for the book.

Any additional comments?

My daughter was listening to this book at the same time I was. She was not enjoying it as much as me as she said she wanted more plot driven stories. I had to tell her that , being greatly appreciative of plot, this book was an unusual fit for me, but I found this character driven story just perfect , probably because I am of an age where I am going through some of the angst and am certain my husband is also reviewing how we got to where we are. Not that we have drifted that far apart,but I can certainly see how the small things have grown to take up too much of our lives. Harold Frye has given me a reason to reflect and make an attempt to find that magic we had so many years ago.

Talented author

This gifted author really knows how to pull a reader in. I really cared about Harold. Wonderful character development and plot.