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)

Aeschylls said it best

Any additional comments?

"Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the aweful * grace of God.
*aweful: awe-inspiring

I still think about this book months later

What did you love best about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry?

I felt like I went on his walking pilgrimage with him. The pace was leisurely and Harold Fry's awakening was fun to follow.

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

Harold

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I listened to it while driving. It was always great to pick it up where I left off.

Gosh, Harold, you taught the world

This book has also been around awhile with a gazillion reviews so I’ll make it short. Harold Fry has a lesson for us all. Just listen to the book. Sad, but teaches you so much about Life Well worth a credit any day. .

Thoroughly enjoyable

Broadbent brings the characters alive. What a wonderful story! Well written and well told. Best Audible selection for me so far.

A nice quaint adventure.

Where does The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed this book, although I usually listen to a different type of books - biographies, thrillers or business-related. This seemed to be a quaint little adventure story, with a very emotional appeal. I felt like my sister-in-law, a high school literature teacher, would appreciate the nuances of this book, and assign it as reading material.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harold. I felt an emotional connection with him, as his journey moved him through the countryside as much as through emotional struggles.

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

The neighbor. I felt as though I could actually see that gentleman.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last quarter of the book, just after the pilgrims went on. Raw, emotional times which made me uncomfortable because I could feel the pain.

It was good

What did you love best about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry?

It was a good story and kept you engaged for the entire book.

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

Harold Fry and his evolution throughout the story.

Any additional comments?

Good book - worth the time and effort.

Life lessons

"He looked behind him and there was already no sign, no trace of him anywhere." "He passed through life and left no impression. He meant nothing."
What a read. Joyce did some wonderful writing in this story. My emotions were all over the place but the lesson is one that should be heard often. Life is short. When you are hurting, you hurt the ones you love the most.
Harold, who had lived a most predictable life does a most unpredictable thing. He goes on a journey in a most unexpected way. He finds himself, comes to terms with loss, and falls in love with his wife again.
It has some language* but the story has left it's mark on me.

Lovely

Meaningful and fanciful without being schlocky. The imagery was beautiful. The author captured both beauty and pain well.

A Random Act of Kindness

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Harold Fry is Everyman, at least everyman who is 65 years old. I am 65 years old and I can certainly identify with Harold, his regrets, his wistfulness, his determination to make an account of himself with one late, great act of compassion and gratitude. Rachel Joyce deeply perceives the delicate disequilibrium of a man who is slipping down into his own mortality, burdened with regret for his lack of courage and responsibility. Harold Fry is not a loser, but he is a man who put his life in a box not to be touched or opened. His box is filled with regret for the loss of his son and for his not taking responsibility for his anger at his job in a brewery and the cost that was paid by a coworker who protected his folly. And so suddenly,on a little walk to post a letter, Harold decides to go thank the worker who all these years later is in hospice dying. Harold phones the hospice center and tells the answering nurse to have Queenie keep living because he, Harold the Called, Harold the Determined will walk across England to to see her and thank her for her act of sacrifice and character. His journey, like all such books becomes a collection of encounters with various persons who inspire, assist, heal, commiserate, join-up or just hang around to witness and participate in a growing news event. And like the rag tassels fluttering on the end of a kite tail in a shifting wind, his devoted wife trys to understand and assist this huge change in her beloved Harold.
The narration by Jim Broadbent is perfectly nuanced for such a tender and gentle story. His usung various intonations and phrasing for different characters keeps the narrative fresh and vibrant.
Of course, when Harold dos arrive at the hospice facility, he finds Queenie beyond the pale, unable to communicate, suffering and dying and at the total mercy of her caregivers. She did keep living. But the things to be said, the touch of once caring are all too late. Nevertheless, Harold had made a statement by his walk of all those many miles. He honored Queenie and himself. I'd like to think that Queenie felt his presence. The love you save is the love you send. By the end of this pilgrimage, Harold was closer to God. And in the end that indwelling God is the coming and going of our souls.

Such a sweet and sad story

I really enjoyed it. It had me smiling and also made me sad and reflective in a good way.