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)

It's not about the shoes

A wonderful piece. You may feel it starts off slowly but relax and go with it! Soon you will not want to eat lunch or go to bed.

Reflective and touching

This story reminds me of Thoreau's words, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." It is bittersweet, but I enjoyed it.

Great story but to much F word

It was an emotional walk as he rediscovered himself and his relationships but no need for all the F word .... I would have given it 5 stars if it would have left out the language.

What a dear and beautiful story!

I loved every word. We should all go on a walk with only ourselves and what is in our hearts to figure out. Perfectly written by Rachel Joyce and perfectly read by Jim Broadbent. Really a great listen.

Harold has my heart!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, the narrator does a wonderful job. I felt like I was right in the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harold, of course!

Beautiful does not begin to describe this book!

I enjoyed each and every moment of this beautiful story. The narration brought the touching, relevant story to life in such a delightful way. I felt a part of the characters and so related to the conversations we all have like this in confusing daily lives. Just beautiful, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Broadbent Makes it Better

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. I really enjoyed Broadbent's performance.

Would you be willing to try another book from Rachel Joyce? Why or why not?

Probably not. While I liked listening to the book, I didn't care as much for Joyce's writing style. It was a little manipulating and the "reveals" toward the end of the book should have come sooner, in my opinion.

Which character – as performed by Jim Broadbent – was your favorite?

Harold Fry.

Do you think The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I thought it was too long as it was.

A Pilgrimage of well chosen words

I'm one of those crazy book readers who underline best parts in books and now transcribe words I would be proud to have written in my iPhone notes.
Here goes ....
Unlikely Pilgrimage's word beauty
🔅pewter sea
🔅He was [walking] in the world by himself and nothing could get in the way or ask him to mow the lawn.
🔅Life was very different when you walked through it.
🔅Maybe you saw even more than the land when you got out of the car and used your feet.
🔅"Father!" he said the way he did suggesting the bond between them was a whim of irony rather than blood.
🔅He was one of those people who didn't require other people in order to have a conversation.
🔅He hoped they weren't one of those couples who said in public the dangerous things they could not voice at home.
🔅For years they had been in a place where language had no significance.
Small words were exchanged and they were safe. They hovered over the surface of what could never be said because that was unfathomable and would never be bridged.
🔅The superhuman effort it took sometimes to be normal and a part of things that appeared both easy and everyday. The loneliness of that.
🔅Grief - it's like discovering a great hole in the ground. To begin with, you forget it's there and you keep falling in. After a while, it's still there but you learn to walk round it.
🔅The moon shone high and cast a trembling copy of itself over the deep water.

Stellar!!!

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

Yes, I probably will listen to the book again. It is a wonderful story and charged with Jim Broadbent's first rate narration. This audio-book should be the standard which all narrators should emulate. First, Broadbent does not rush. He allows the listener a bit of time for certain sentences to sink in. This is especially important because of the incredibly beautiful prose of Joyce. Secondly, there are so many gorgeous metaphors created by the author. Sometimes there are metaphors in literature which are pretentious and forced. Joyce's metaphors seem to be like a normal adjective, some of them are pure genius.

What does Jim Broadbent bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

One of the great actors of the day, having performed in "Moulin Rouge" and "Iron Lady", Broadbent brings a very gifted actors' sensitivity to expression and language. As an audiobook, Broadbent has created something of a performance. His tone of voice are perfect for the story. Also, of course, I imagined Mr. Broadbent as the protagonist, which brought an even more wonderful experience to the novel.

I sure hope he continues to narrate. Spectacular.

If you could take any character from The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The older "distinguished" gentleman Harold meets at a train station.

Any additional comments?

I do hope Joyce continues writing novels. When I googled her, I couldn't believe this was her first novel. I had just completed George Eliots' "Mill on the Floss", and in my humble opinion, Joyce's work was comparable. However, Joyce is contemporary. Her gentle style is simple, yet refined.

Inspiring

This was an awesome book. James Broadbent brought the characters to life. I laughed and cried as they struggled and triumphed. Splendid!