The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

De: Rachel Joyce

Narrado por: Jim Broadbent

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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

One of the sweetest, most delicately-written stories I've read in a long time. One man's walk along the length of England to save the life of a dying woman. Each chapter describes a different encounter along the way, with a definite nod to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Philosophical, intriguing, and profoundly moving.

Uplifting, funny and delicate (Jon Stock)

A wonderful book ... Full of sadness, hope, and ultimately love. I found it very moving.

Tender and funny, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry shows that even our frailties can be uplifting and redemptive.

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!

Compelling and truly wonderful. It made me laugh out loud at times and brought tears to my eyes. There are sentences that are just brilliant and well observed. (David Headley)

I was completely blown away. I thought I was about to read a comic novel but what can I say - it was indeed funny, but tender, ironic and deeply moving, a really wonderful book. (Pat Abrehard)

‘Jim Broadbent reads Rachel Joyce’s first novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, in a splendidly deadpan manner.’ (Sue Gaisford)

Harold hunts for the meaning of life

This is a very enjoyable listen. It is the story of an old man who has become horribly stuck in a rut. He is living an empty life of mediocrity and is scarred by his failures and weaknesses as a human being. He goes out to post a letter and just carries on walking, a la Forrest Gump.

His journey is not easy, and he experiences desperation and crisis on the way, but ultimately he grows as a person, learns to understand himself and to cope better with his demons. It is not a corny feelgood happy ending, but some things improve for Harold. In Harold's 'happy ending' we are not allowed to escape life's realities of death, loss and grief, but we can appreciate the value of the discoveries Harold makes.

It is a moving story, grim at times. You engage with all the characters and you do want to keep listening to hear the rest of the story. It is also a very English story, and I'm not sure whether this would make it more or less enjoyable to someone who isn't from that country (as I am).

It is a little bit twee and reminded very much of a serialised BBC radio play. There were also some aspects of the storyline which stretched my credulity a bit. If you don't want to spoil the story by seeing my examples of this, stop reading now:

1. When the media find out about Harold's walk they camp outside his (wife's) house but they don't actually go out and find him, which would have been very easy to do.

2. He sleeps rough and lives off wild plants for a while. I don't think you could do this sustainably in the English countryside

This is why I couldn't quite give the storyline a 5. But I wholeheartedly recommend it nevertheless. The Narrator was magnificent.

Perfect audio book

If you could sum up The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry in three words, what would they be?

gentle, sad, wonderful

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harold - he was the only main character everyone else was secondary really. I loved the way this otherwise normal, boring man, did something totally out of his comfort zone. He discovered himself along the way.

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

Harold, we get to know him very well. Jim Broadbent is the best narrator I've listened too so far. Excellent pace, doesn't try to imitate a lady's voice. We can picture Harold when we hear Jim's voice talking.

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

I think the title is great. It aptly expresses what the book is about.

Any additional comments?

Don't expect a racy drama. This is a beautiful story of human nature, and the pace and limited number of characters make it perfect for listening to in the car.I'm don't find many audio books particularly easy to listen to, but this is by far my favorite audio book, I hope Jim Broadbent will do more in the future.

Thought provoking late in life coming of age story

If you could sum up The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry in three words, what would they be?

Honest, ironic, human

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

The time Harold spends with the Eastern European doctor

What about Jim Broadbent’s performance did you like?

Exactly captured the tone of the story, Broadbent WAS Harold. Perfect casting.

Who was the most memorable character of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and why?

Harold because he grew in self knowledge in the story and came to understand something about human nature which was both tragic and bleak yet also ordinary and hopeful.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend the book.

great sequel

warm riveting story of determination and lost live. I lived the background to Harold, the sadness of un recognized love.

Very philosophical.............

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

Maybe?

What other book might you compare The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry to and why?

'The Alchemist' both have that same thought provoking quality. Gives you insight into people, their hopes and dreams etc

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

No

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

No that's a good title for it

Any additional comments?

Gives you food for thought, I enjoyed it.