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)

I walked with Harold

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

This book is so well written...beautiful imagery and believable characters...poignant story about moving on...

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how Harold's history was given in increments from all different sources...we were piecing together until the end...and enjoying the journey..

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

I loved Harold and Maureen

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

perfect name :)

Wonderful book, far beyond expectations

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

What a great book! I expected something light and fluffy, and instead got a wonderful, thought-provoking book with full deep characters and a compelling story line. Terrific!

Have you listened to any of Jim Broadbent’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great narrator! Just the right approach.

I so enjoyed this wonderful story!

The narrator was spot on and the story had me laughing, cringing and crying. I was along for the ride and it didn't disappoint. As a listener, one may reflect on their own life journey and feel a kinship with the main character. Excellent from start to finish.

Joyless.

I suppose you could polish a knockoff Rolex, give it the best possible shine, if you really wanted to. That’s essentially what Broadbent’s narration accomplishes, here, and more power to him. He’s wonderful. The story? Not so much.

Contrarian opinion, perhaps, but this was a slog.

There’s a certain kind of British tale - charming, cozy, insightful, mature, restrained - that Joyce was so clearly aiming for. Instead she’s penned something joyless and brittle. I suspect it was an attempt at depth?

That’s not to say it’s horrible, mind. Far from it. The author knows her way around a sentence, and can craft a solid character. There’s a vision here, I think, but it’s left unrealized.

I’m comfortable with journey-as-destination. I enjoy the good, inward wind of a church labyrinth. Sand gardens are wonderfully zen. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry? It’s just missing something, a certain elevating ingredient.

There’s a fine line between cliche and archetype. This book, I think, in an idealized form could have been the latter. As it is, unfortunately, it’s too muddled to even achieve the former.

I appreciate the effort. It’s not worth the read.

beautiful heartfelt story. great listen

good story line, easy listen. truly heartfelt. great characters. I even cried almost at the end. A story of family and friendship and the courage to keep going, that it's not the end result but the journey that we love and cherish.

A journey for you too

There were so many twists and turns, it was a journey for yourself as well. Loved the self and views of the world around him and the others, the times when you cheer him and doubt what he is doing. It was the most heartwarming story I've been privileged to read in a long while.

Existential Adventure

A roller coaster ride of angst and joy.
took me through a long road trip without even noticing the miles.

Journey of self-awareness

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

Harold is an unlikely athlete, and his journey requires that he be one. Harold starts his journey as a non-descript lonely man not living life but surviving life. His journey to awareness comes gradually and gently. There is a central part of the story along the lines of Forrest Gump where the story seems to lose its way, but it gets back on track. As Harold's story unfolds, the listener is priviledged to journey with him. A lovely listen!

What did you like best about this story?

Harold's gradual realizations that his previous view of the world was so limited.

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

Harold of course.

Bittersweet

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

The descriptions and stories of the people Harold meets on his journey were very interesting. The emotional wall that had built up between Harold and his wife was very believable and I appreciated how the story of Harold's past unfolded as he walked.

Thoughtful

Couldn't wait for the end. It is such an awaking story for the marriages of time. Totally enjoyed this one.