Stop by and pick up a copy of
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye by Rachel Joyce - our September book group choice. Discussion will take place on Wednesday September 18th at 1pm by the fireplace. See you there!
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 From the Hardcover edition.
