Title: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Author: Rachel Joyce
Publisher: Random House, 2012
Review/Summary: Harold Frye, recently retired, lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does. They have settled into a mundane existence. Then one morning he receives a letter from an old friend who is dying. When he composes a reply letter and goes to post it, he becomes convinced that he must hand deliver it. Thus, begins his quest as he takes off in his tennis shoes to walk 600 miles, because he believes Queenie will live, as long as he walks. Along the way he meets one fascinating character after another. Memories flood him of his wedding day, fatherhood and regrets and losses. Maureen reminisces too and finds herself missing him. This funny, poignant, charming story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey will move and inspire you.There also mysteries that will be solved about his friend and son. Fans of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand will embrace another hero in Harold Frye.
Recommended by: Cindy B., Children’s Librarian
Who will like this? Someone who recognizes that sometimes heroes come from the most unlikely of places. Anyone looking for a story about second – or maybe even last – chances.
If you like this, try this: “The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed out a Window and Disappeared” by Jonas Jonasson is also about last chances, and what we do with them. You may also enjoy “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson.
This is playwright Rachel Joyce’s first novel, but was named as an Amazon “top book of the month”, so be on the lookout for more from her!
If you would like to see if this book is available, please visit our Fairfield Public Library catalog [Link will open in a new window]