The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

By: Rachel Joyce

Narrated by: Jim Broadbent

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Winner: New Writer of the Year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012.

When Harold Fry nips out one morning to post a letter, leaving his wife hoovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other. He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof, or mobile phone. All he knows is that he must keep walking - to save someone else's life.

Harold Fry is the most ordinary of men. He just might be a hero for us all.

Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent has starred in a huge range of films, from British favourites including Bridget Jones, Hot Fuzz and The Iron Lady, to Hollywood blockbusters such as Moulin Rouge, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the Harry Potter films. He is set to star in the upcoming film adaptation of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

©2012 Rachel Joyce (P)2012 Random House AudioGo

Critic reviews

“From the moment I met Harold Fry, I didn't want to leave him. Impossible to put down.” (Erica Wagner, The Times)

“Harold Fry is infuriating, hilarious and completely out of his depth, but 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. Marvellous!” (Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand)

“A magical, moving and uplifting tale about a man's journey across Britain and into his own heart.” (Deborah Moggach)

“I loved this book. I loved its purity, its brutality and unerring honesty. I don't think I have read such richly composed metaphors before. They are like shooting stars glittering across each page. I can't believe this is her first novel- I wait with bated breath for her next.” (Natascha McElhone)

“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry isn’t just a book I enjoyed reading, it’s a book I feel lucky to have read. It takes the most ordinary and unassuming of men and turns him into a hero for us all. Harold Fry faces the same questions we all do as we age, questions about the meaning of our lives, faith and love, but confronts them in a most surprising way. To go on this journey with him will not only break your heart, it might also just heal it.” (Tiffany Baker, New York Times best-selling author of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County)

A great story

I am new to audio books and selected this story based on some of the positive feedback it received and was not disappointed. It is beautifully written, very well narrated and quite inspiring. It was lovely to find a simple storyline that opened the door so effortlessly into examinations of relationships and a raft of feelings including guilt, hope, regret, love and determination to name but a few. Hard not to review aspects of your life after reading this and that can only be a good thing to my mind. Highly recommended.

Quirky engaging wonderful book

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

Great characters developed, amazing reader and absorbing story. Loved every minute of it and very sorry when it ended.

What did you like best about this story?

Completely unrealistic but completely believable. Makes you want to get out and do something different.

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

His voice, accent and tone match the character and story in a way you could not imagine.

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

Queenie to get the full story

brilliant

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

i have the audio edition

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harold I learned a lot from him

What about Jim Broadbent’s performance did you like?

Emotions

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Harold and his jotting shoes

Any additional comments?

no

A delightful read

I enjoyed the unusual plot. A most poignant story. It reminds one of what is important in life.

So human

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

One of the best

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

All of them - he is a fantastic narrator especially for foreigners ! Harold Fry was my favorite -
so calm all the time.

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

Harold Fry in the hospital

Any additional comments?

I highly recomend this book to everyone.

A sadly funny life story..

harold is a retired older gentleman, with a colourless life, with a nagging miserable marriage, unfulfilled in all areas... love, laughter, joy, excitement and he exists from day to day... Until he receives "the letter"... this changes his whole life. It has a cataclysmic impact on his life, his marriage, his friends and the spillover of people on his peripheral edges.

Its a story of hope, that allows you to be drawn into believing and realising that it is never too late for change and that we should never give up.

It leaves you feeling hopeful and reflective....

Maintain a fast pace in reading this slow book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It is a slow paced book by itself so you need to ensure that you listen to it within a matter of a few days to keep the tempo high otherwise it will just - drag - on.
The 45+ crowd may enjoy it more than others. The first half is better than the second half.
It primarily is about a lot of introspection and realization by the man who is walking. The narrator is not bad but not great either.

Would you recommend The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry to your friends? Why or why not?

Not really. Maybe if you are insomniac...

Unbelievably poignant

Man Booker short lists and long list nominees signify tears and unbearable sadness or at times pure randomness. While at the centre of the story is a heart-breaking event and the road to redemption and acceptance difficult, I would recommend this book over and over.

An unexpectedly amazing book

It is highly unlikely that one would find a story of an eldery man who decides to walk the length of England interesting. So why was this one of the best books I have had the pleasure of listening to - ever?

The story unfolds slowly, almost languidly. A man hears that his friend is dying and decides on the spur of the moment, in his boat shoes, plastic bag in his hand, to walk to her. On the way he meets obstacles, loses himself, rediscovers himself, and meets all kinds of people. He becomes a larger than life figure, then a metaphor. Will he make it? Will she die before he gets there? The story feels like an allegory for life's journey - but is told well and is full of humour and pathos.

The real magic here is in the narration. Jim Broadbent is one of the greatest character actors working now. Here he brings all of his gifts to the story - and it is astonishing. His pace is perfect, his voices individual and characterful. His performance transforms the audiobook - from good to nearly perfect.

Delightful, deeply touching

What struck me about this book was that there was so much CARE in it that uncaring situations were so clearly apparent and jarring. Many lessons about life, loss, grief & honesty, beautifully presented.