I’m currently in the process of rereading one of my all time favorite books, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce. I really can’t recommend this book enough. It. Is. Beautiful. Our story begins with an older couple, Harold and Maureen at the breakfast table. Their marriage has been unsatisfactory for years. A lot of bitter feelings, particularly about their son, David has really drawn them apart. The mail arrives during their meal, which includes the usual bills and catalogs – but there’s something else. A pale pink envelope addressed to Harold Fry. The letter inside is from a ghost of twenty years past, Miss Queenie Hennessy. The note informs Harold that Queenie has cancer, and she was writing to say good bye. Harold got up from breakfast, and wrote back to Queenie immediately. He informed Maureen he was walking down the street to the mail box, and was out the door. He began to walk. Once he reached the mail box, he fancied he would walk on to the next one, since it was such a nice day. Once he reached the second mail box, he figured he would go one farther, since it was only a block away. He walked some more, and eventually tired himself out, so he stopped at the gas station for some refreshments. At the station, Harold and the young lady working had a game changing conversation. Once Harold mentioned his letter to Queenie and her current medical condition, the young lady informed him that her aunt also had cancer. She told Harold that he had to remain positive. He had to truly believe that Queenie would recover. She said that the faith that she had that her aunt would feel better was the only thing that gave her aunt hope. Then, Harold had an idea. He would walk to Queenie. He would walk from Kingsbridge to Berwick-upon-Tweed. And while he walked those five hundred miles, Queenie would keep living. He called the hospice that Queenie was residing at and told the nurse to tell Queenie once she awoke from her nap that he was walking to her, and that she had to keep living until he made it there. He then called Maureen and told her of his plan, to which she scoffed and told him he wouldn’t get past five miles. He exited the phone booth and began to walk. He had no cell phone, no hiking equipment, and no map. He had the clothes on his back, his wallet, and a pair of yachting shoes. The more that Harold walked, the more people he encountered. They shared their stories with each other. These strangers would confide in Harold and hope for the best for him on his journey. While Harold walks, secrets of his past that he thought had been tucked away begin to spill out. His mother leaving, his drunk father, the constant mother figures walking in and out of his life, his son. All of these memories would come to surface as Harold walked. He walked for Queenie. He walked for Maureen, even if she was unhappy with his decision. And most importantly, he walked for David, whose approval Harold was trying to earn for years.
Every chapter of this book introduces either a new location Harold passes through, the story of a stranger, or a memory from the past. It really is a page turner! Rachel Joyce’s writing is just gorgeous. Her ability to paint a picture of the scenery that Harold is walking through makes you feel like you’re putting one foot in front of the other along with him.
Have any of you guys read this book before? What did you think of it?? Leave me a comment and let’s chat! -Sarah
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