Rachel Joyce’s debut novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, is spell-binding in its simplicity, yet profoundly moving.
Harold Fry receives a message from a former co-worker, Queenie Hennessy, that she is dying. He promptly sends a reply, but rather than posting the letter, at the last minute decides to walk the distance to say farewell in person. And distance it is—627 miles from the little English village of Kingsbridge north to a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Harold isn’t equipped for such a strenuous walk. He’s wearing around-the-house yachting shoes and a light coat, shirt and tie. He soon regrets not having his cell phone, but after walking several miles, calls his wife, Maureen, collect. She’s irritated, but that’s nothing new. Almost everything Harold does irritates her, and has for many years.
As Harold’s journey progresses, he reminisces about his life, recalling sad and regrettable times. Along the way he meets people, many encouraging him on his journey.
The story occasionally switches to Maureen as she, too, looks back on their marriage of many years, acknowledging the joys, but mostly the sorrows and regrets.
I loved this endearing story of ordinary people. As Harold’s journey unfolds, I took my time to savor the descriptions of English countryside, and the genteel charm of a man who is so careful not to offend the people he encounters. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a lovely novel of profound insight.