The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

Harold Fry #1-2

by Rachel Joyce

Meet a pair of beloved characters—Harold Fry and Queenie Hennessy—in an eBook bundle that collects two linked novels from a wise and utterly irresistible storyteller.

“[Rachel Joyce] has a lovely sense of the possibilities of redemption. . . . She’s cleared space where miracles are still possible.”—Ron Charles, The Washington Post

Rachel Joyce’s unforgettable debut, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, became a runaway international bestseller as readers fell in love with her unassuming hero as he embarked on an incredible adventure spurred by a letter from his old friend Queenie. In The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, Joyce reveals the other side of the story in a journey just as remarkable as Harold’s. Together these exquisite parallel novels illuminate the feelings we all bury deep within our hearts, and the small yet pivotal moments that can change a person’s life.

Praise for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

“[A] gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation.” — The Oprah Magazine

“Joyce’s beguiling debut is [a] modest-seeming story of ‘ordinary’ English lives that enthralls and moves you as it unfolds.”—People (four stars)

“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is not just a book about lost love. It is about all the wonderful everyday things Harold discovers through the mere process of putting one foot in front of the other.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“A moving story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey.”—Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank

“A gentle adventure with an emotional wallop . . . a smart, feel-good story.”—Bob Minzesheimer, USA Today

“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

Praise for The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

“This lovely book is full of joy. . . . [Queenie’s] love song is for us. Thank you, Rachel Joyce.”—The Washington Post
 
“Joyce’s writing at moments has a simplicity that sings. She captures hope best of all.”—The Guardian
 
“[A] deeply affecting novel . . . Culminating in a shattering revelation, [Queenie’s] tale is funny, sad, She’s bound for death, but full of life.”—People
 
“Like Harold Fry, Queenie is delightful and dark. . . . But Joyce is so deft that when the book is over and you close the cover, the darkness fades. What sticks with you is the light of Queenie’s unwavering love.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
“Wonderful . . . It is not necessary to read Harold’s story before reading Queenie’s to enjoy this bittersweet novel, which is a pleasure in its own right. However, reading both will only serve to double that pleasure.”—The Independent
 
“After two such involving novels, readers are bound to wish for a third.”—The Telegraph

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

520 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

Rachel Joyce has written over 20 original afternoon plays for BBC Radio 4, and major adaptations for both the Classic Series, Woman's Hour and also a TV drama adaptation for BBC 2. In 2007 she won the Tinniswood Award for best radio play. She moved to writing after a twenty-year career in theatre and television, performing leading roles for the RSC, the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Court, and Cheek by Jowl, winning a Time Out Best Actress award and the Sony Silver.

Reviews

[Pamela Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harold's quest is as old as Don Quixote's search for windmills. Harold is searching for atonement - because his friend and workmate Queenie took the rap for him at work, because his son committed suicide, because he is trapped in a lacklustre marriage, and in his own mothballed life. The goal of his leisure-shoed journey through the length of England, without a plan or resources, is to reach Queenie before she dies. Along the way there is enlightenment for almost all the characters.

THE LOVE SONG OF MISS QUEENIE is written from Queenie's point of view in the nursing home before she dies. Through post cards and news reports she is aware of Harold's journey to see her. She has been in an unrequited-love situation with Harold since she met him. Her story alternates between past and present, which allows the author to fill in some holes in Harold's story. However, THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY does not get bogged down in maudlin emotion and keeps moving more quickly than Queenie's pages.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally rated Harold Fry as a 4. I had so many questions that weren't answered in Harold Fry. The lovesong of Queenie Hennessey answers these questions and gives Queenie's side of the story and fills out the stories of some of the characters in Harold Fry, such as David. Beautifully written. After reading Queenie I changed my rating of Harold Fry to a 5.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Check out my reviews on each individual book on their main pages!

[Barbara Sibbald]

Can we be companions to ourselves: accepting and nurturing? I set out reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, with this in mind and found the answer is yes.

Harold is a quiet man, recently retired and depressed. His wife Maureen harbours deep resentment over something he did that concerns their son. They are estranged.

The story opens with Harold receiving a letter from Queenie, a long-ago colleague who helped him in a troubled time. Now she’s dying in a hospice in England’s far North and writes to say goodbye. He sets out to mail a brief and unsatisfactory letter to her but keeps on walking for 67 days… all the way to her hospice.

The pilgrimage or journey of self-discovery is propelled by a gradual revealing of his mysterious past. He reflects on his life, his relationship with his wife and son and the neglect of his childhood: his mother who abandoned him and his abusive father.

He also writes to Queenie and phones the hospice, though only talks to the nuns: he urges Queenie to hold on to life; he will be there soon. He also writes and phones Maureen, who initially thinks he’s daft, but gradually comes around to his journey and his effort to change.

Harold meets many people on his journey, and learns something from each as he accepts their offers of help and confessions. Harold remains unjudgmental about the “inhuman effort it took sometimes to be normal.” This lies at the heart of the novel as he reflects on his seemingly normal life.

It unfortunately falls a bit flat when Harold inadvertently becomes a media sensation which attracts an assortment of followers who walk with him. He is waylaid by their assertiveness and I missed the trajectory of his travel, interior and exterior. He eventually parts ways with them and wanders aimlessly for a while. I’m never completely sure why he snaps out of it, but he does. The mysteries are resolved and the ending is powerful though not wholly unexpected. 3/5

[Debbie Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting, inspiring story of Harold Fry and his reflections on life, love and choices. Harold suddenly embarks on a mission to walk many hundreds of miles to see his former co-worker who is in a hospice. He truly wants to say goodbye to a dear friend and just sets out one day without any provisions to start his walk. Along the way Harold meets many wonderful people, some who offer shelter, others who offer food and comfort. He stops along his way to choose postcards that he mails to his wife and to his friend Queenie asking her to hold on until he gets there. Harold's wife, Maureen is very confused as to why her husband just up and left her, is it for good? She soon learns of his mission and does offer her support along with their neighbour Rex who lost his wife not long ago. Along his travels he befriends a dog who stays with him on his walks and at one point several people join him on his adventure although some of them are not with best intentions. Harold struggles with horrid blisters and shoes that are falling apart, few bits of clothing and supplies and at one point collapses due to dehydration and fatigue. Can't spoil the ending but this story as told by Harold is so heartfelt, the landscapes sound so lovely and they change as he makes his way north. The story depicts the kindness of strangers and the belief that one can do anything despite how hard the journey is. A delight to read, highly recommend.

[Applehillcottage · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There were times, he saw, when not knowing was the biggest truth, and you had to stay with that.”

“It struck Harold afresh how life could change in an instant. You could be doing something so everyday—walking your partner’s dog, putting on your shoes—and not knowing that everything you wanted you were about to lose.”

Those two quotes made my fingertips ache when I read them. Harold Fry’s journey of self-discovery is necessary for him to move forward—he is recently retired and in a silent marriage—when he receives a letter from an acquaintance where he worked twenty years ago. She is dying and wanted to say goodbye. And with that, something in Harold cracks. He walks. In his old boat shoes, no cell phone, a light jacket. He walks for unknown reasons but as he walks, he remembers, he sees the kindnesses of strangers, the absurdities of modern life, and he changes.
The writing is spare and simple. The reader hurts with Harold; hurts with Maureen, his left behind wife; and I, at least, ached for my own unchosen journey of “not knowing being the biggest truth”, and just having to stay with that.

[Alicia Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overwhelmingly

I am at a loss for the right words to express the power of this story. Powerful sad overwhelming real come to mind. The author shows her own depth of sorrow as well as bringing us into the gracious and real life and death reality through those in the hospice. If one takes the time the characters Harold meets on his journey can somehow tie to the dying. They are real and are presented with the many levels found on his journey. Our whole of life's journey is really presented in this beautiful and crazy written dynamic word. The many levels presented challenge and reward the reader!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little conflicted about my rating. I wish there were half stars as options. This premise of the story drew me in, as it's not typically the genre of book I read.

I enjoyed Harold's story. Any questions I had were answered in the Queenie story. I also enjoyed Queenie's story, but I could have used a little less of the sea garden content. I felt it just dragged sometimes, and I found myself rushing to get through those sections. I looked forward to reading about her connection to David, but was somewhat underwhelmed in the end. I don't know. I suppose I was expecting Queenie to have done something more unforgivable.

[Sunhawk]

Clearly written as two books, but inextricably linked -- this must have been fun to write, working out the author's puzzlements about social velocity (walking speed is better), publicity (sucks as getting it appeals to self-important narcissists), and the vicissitudes of long relationships. I trudged through the first book with Harold, but got bogged down in Queenie's, as it seemed predictable and needlessly obtuse. But then I find people who don't express strong emotions at the time they're having them too passive to motivate meaningful narrative. Maybe these would have worked better for me had Queenie's story been interleaved with Harold's?

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both of these books moved me. Harold, who is kind and gentle man, leaves home to post a letter to an old friend who is dying in an hospice facility 600 miles away. One the way to the post office, Harold decides he can walk to his friend to tell her good bye. She will not die before he reaches her. This trip becomes a journey. Harold 's journey becomes his pilgrimage to save Miss Queenie. On this pilgrimage to save Miss Queenie, Harold touches many people and begins a pilgrimage to save himself, his marriage. This is a beautiful story.

Miss Queen is Queenie's side of their story. Sometimes, we are very lucky and sit down to read a book and it is just the book we need to read in this moment in our life. Miss Queenie was one of those books for me.

[Maritere Matosantos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about trimming your belongings to the barest minimum; ever considered taking on a quest that scares and exhausts you; wanted to right a wrong deed of your past; taken up a cause that makes sense to no one but yourself? I so many times wonder how authors come up with an idea for a novel. As I read the first chapter of Rachel Joyce’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry all of the above clouded my mind. One has to actually read this book to understand its appeal - it is genius! Uplifting, soul cleansing, motivating, this story of Harold Fry who so much reminded me of the song The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha. It’s a marvelous book, one I recommend especially when you don’t know what to pick up next.

[Christel]

I loved the way every paragraph individually is worth the time spent reading it. These books are deeply feeling, visual- cinematic, emotionally realistic and sensitive; kind, witty, and so gently written. I wish I would have written them myself, so to speak. They are not fast paced but that is exactly what I love.

[dana k. mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a rock garden by the sea.

Delightful well researched novel. Invoking a myriad of emotions, sadness, happiness, laughter. Memorable characters I feel inspired by all of them .

[beverly mattingly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story

I am still crying as I write this. A beautiful story indeed. In a way I feel so sad for Queenie but then that is really not fair. She deserved better. To love someone for years is truly a gift. I hoped he knew and appreciated that.

[Judie Billingsley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really depressing and the characters were hard to like.

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Very deep, uplifting, emotional, and heartwrenching at times. Highly recommend.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great characterization. Gives one a chance to slow down, breathe.

[Teresa Burns Gunther · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books in the wrong order. I loved it, but felt I'd already been tipped off. I do love this author's work. Can't wait for her next book!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Joyce's writing. This one dragged a bit for me.

[Alexandra Durrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. Takes you on a spiritual journey as well as a journey through England.

[Sigurd R Dahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing story about Harold and Queenie.
You must read both books to get both stories - Harolds and Queenies! They give me loads of afterthoughts... a real must for mankind!

[Mai Vu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and wholesome!

[Suzanne Ashworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read after watching film

[Anthea West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book and can see why it's so popular. But just a little too unlikely for that fifth star!

[Nadia Prigol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dieses Buch führt den Leser bis in die tiefsten Gefühle des Menschen.
Ich bin dankbar daß ich es lesen durfte.

[Nicole D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago, and the writing of Harold's journey still sticks with me. This book is definitely worth the read.

[Elaine Aliaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book! It was a great moment for me to meet Queenie and "hear" her voice after the first Harold Fry novel.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread, again for book club. I actually have read only the first book but don't seem to be able to get it to register on my shelf of read books

[Ella͙͘͡★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to make a book about walking interesting but she did it
Alternative title: Harold has a bad life because jesus christ Harold was catching every stray

[Margaret Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith is needed.

The book is so wonderfully written. Yes there is nothing new under the sun. If they were real people, how much pain could have been avoided if he knew thr real unconditional love of God. Not Wifts version. Your gifted at telling a story, I wish there was more eternal hope for this couple.