Kevin’s review of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry, #1) > Likes and Comments

Thanks for the recommendation !

Helene wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation !"
You are very welcome, Helene. Have a fabulous day!

I confess that until now, I've glimpsed the title and cover and neither have appealed. You've made me realise the importance of not being quite so cursory. It certainly sounds like something worthy of consideration.

Cecily wrote: "I confess that until now, I've glimpsed the title and cover and neither have appealed. You've made me realise the importance of not being quite so cursory. It certainly sounds like something worthy..."

I'd love to hear your thoughts, should you ever pick it up, Cecily.
The book is very 'English', which might narrow its appeal. But nevertheless it has achieved positive reviews both sides of the pond.
I seem to rate books higher than most folk on Goodreads. So, if you subtract one star from each of my ratings, you might get a fairer score! : )

What a brilliant review! If Rachel Joyce's prose is anything like yours – "wrinkled old coffin-dodger," "grunge of the great outdoors," "farmer gurgling, 'Get off my land!'" – it's going to be a fun journey. Thanks, Kevin.

Why, sir, I do believe I'm blushing.
Especially coming from you, that's very welcome praise indeed! You and Debbie are my favourite reviewers (don't know her surname, she's just ... um ... Debbie!). Well, anyway, both of you write superb reviews that make mine seem dull by comparison!
Thanks, Glenn.

Great review, Kevin. Thanks. Roused my curiosity, I think I'm going to like this book. :)

Anne wrote: "Great review, Kevin. Thanks. Roused my curiosity, I think I'm going to like this book. :)"

This book does have that 'feel good' factor, Anne.
However, it is deceptive: a gentle, slow-paced read that compels you to invest deeply in its main character, and one that also tugs at your heartstrings.

Jill wrote: "I agree with Anne. The review makes me want to read this book. It's on my TBR. Thanks"

Thanks, Jill.
It's a charming read.
And it also draws you into its pages, so you almost feel that you are accompanying Harold on his unlikely pilgrimage.

Haha! Best review of this much loved book!!! I've snortled (embarrassing snort + chortle) my way through it twice. And I've learned a few new British phrases...pop your clogs?! Devine!

Victoria wrote: "Haha! Best review of this much loved book!!! I've snortled (embarrassing snort + chortle) my way through it twice. And I've learned a few new British phrases...pop your clogs?! Devine!"

Aww, thank you so much, Victoria!
Making people laugh is one of my very few (perhaps only) secret superpower. : )

Delightful, wonderful review, Kevin! I loved this book so very much, and it has stayed with me since then. My favourite thing about this book may be when you next see someone you've recommended this book to, and they have that "look" that comes from having read a book that touched them heart and soul.

Cheri wrote: "Delightful, wonderful review, Kevin! I loved this book so very much, and it has stayed with me since then. My favourite thing about this book may be when you next see someone you've recommended thi..."

Thank you Cheri, most kind!
I wrote this review back in May and was surprised that this seemingly simple story could move me so much, such was the cleverness of Rachel Joyce's writing.

Kevin, terrific review! I must read this book -- I love Harold already.

Laurie wrote: "Kevin, terrific review! I must read this book -- I love Harold already."

Thank you, Laurie!
In Harold there is much to love.

Hi Kevin, charming review that is testament to your "secret superpower". :)

Laysee wrote: "Hi Kevin, charming review that is testament to your "secret superpower". :)"

Aww, thank you, Laysee!
Kind as ever. : )

I love your review, Kevin. You obviously have a great sense of humour! I gave this book to friends to read as they went on a sixty day walk through the Pyrenees...

Thanks, Esil.
I loved your review too!

There was a lot of sadness in this story. But I was also touched by the kindnesses that Harold received as he walked towards Queenie.

Lata wrote: "There was a lot of sadness in this story. But I was also touched by the kindnesses that Harold received as he walked towards Queenie."

Exactly, Lara.
The kindness of strangers really added to the feelgood factor of this charming tale.
Thank you for reading my review!

Kevin, another friend recommended this book to me today. Seeing your high marks for this, I am excited to read this now.

Brina wrote: "Kevin, another friend recommended this book to me today. Seeing your high marks for this, I am excited to read this now."

Oh gosh, I hope it lives up to expectations.
Don't expect high drama; it's a gentle, understated novel with an undercurrent of pathos.
Thank you, Brina!

Beautifully written, Kevin - and I'm going to follow the advice in your last sentence, too! :)

Jaline wrote: "Beautifully written, Kevin - and I'm going to follow the advice in your last sentence, too! :)"

Thank you so much, Jaline.
I've just returned from your own beautifully poignant review, which I loved!

Kevin wrote: "Jaline wrote: "Beautifully written, Kevin - and I'm going to follow the advice in your last sentence, too! :)"

Thank you so much, Jaline.
I've just returned from your own beautifully poignant review, which I loved!"

It is one of those books - I have been smiling non-stop since the end - it's like from somewhere I hear echoes of Harold's and Maureen's laughter. :)

Kevin I enjoyed your review much more than I enjoyed the book! I really picked it up just on the basis of your review but I found it simplistic & tedious & cliched & not especially well written. I think perhaps from now I should just read you rather than the books!

Terry wrote: "Kevin I enjoyed your review much more than I enjoyed the book! I really picked it up just on the basis of your review but I found it simplistic & tedious & cliched & not especially well written. I ..."

Very kind of you to say, Terry. The books that I write couldn't be more different to this gentle, tender story.
This was a complete departure to the type of novels that I would usually read (I'm partial to a bit of oomph, a few metaphorical trapdoors and a good dollop of jeopardy).
I was therefore surprised that I liked it, but like it I did.
We're both very happily agreed on Captain Corelli's Mandolin, which is much more my thing!
Loved the honesty of your review, by the way; always the best policy.

Kevin,
I didn't know this book existed, until today, and after typing in the title, to search it on here, I could not believe how many GRs friends of mine loved this. Dang, I need this read right now!

Julie wrote: "Kevin,
I didn't know this book existed, until today, and after typing in the title, to search it on here, I could not believe how many GRs friends of mine loved this. Dang, I need this read right now!"

Thanks, Julie!
It's a gentle, unassuming read (not at all what I'd usually go for), but it caught me unawares.
I'd be interested to see what you make of it.

Excellent review Kevin. I read this book about four or five years ago and it’s still in my mind as one of my favourites. I recommend it to anyone who will listen although no one seemed to have quite the same enthusiasm as me after reading it. I just feel in love with Harold and his journey.

Heather wrote: "Excellent review Kevin. I read this book about four or five years ago and it’s still in my mind as one of my favourites. I recommend it to anyone..."

Thanks, Heather!
Did you also read the companion book to this?
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

Another book I’ve been resisting. I may change that. Thanks, Kevin!

Tammy wrote: "Another book I’ve been resisting. I may change that. Thanks, Kevin!"

Thanks, Tammy!
I expected this to be too lightweight and twee for my taste, but it charmed me, quite unexpectedly.

Kevin, I picked up The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy but it just didn’t grab me. I think after reading Harold’s story nothing would have moved me like that. Maybe I will try again though. Sometimes I pick up a book and it doesn’t resonate with me and then I will try again another time and end up loving it. 😁

Excellent review Kevin, this is a brilliant example of books that depends fully on your state of mind when you read it, it apparently caught you at the right time, for me it was a 3 Star but I can easily imagine it could have been more at another time.

I had visions of Hyacinth & Richard Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet") when I saw your opening line...dressed to the nines in their yachting attire. Great review Kevin.

Lars wrote: "Excellent review Kevin, this is a brilliant example of books that depends fully on your state of mind when you read it, it apparently caught you at the right time, for me it was a 3 Star but I can ..."

Thanks, Lars. I think you're right in saying that it caught me at the right moment. I'd just read some more weighty tomes and the easy charm of this was just the thing I needed!

Nat wrote: "I had visions of Hyacinth & Richard Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet") when I saw your opening line...dressed to the nines in their yachting attire. Great review Kevin."

Like people who pronounce Phuket as 'fooquet', when it should be 'Pooket' or, as the locals pronounce it, 'Pooget'.
Thank you so much, Nat.
Hyacinth Bouquet was a great character! : )

Fantastic review, as always, Kevin. I think I gave this a 3, but now you have totally convinced me that I liked it more than I thought, lol. Such is the power of your review! I especially liked:

"So, if raw life experiences have left you mature beyond your years, or if you're a wrinkled old coffin-dodger, about to pop your clogs, this might be right up your street!"

I swear that a pogo stick might have made Harold's trek easier.

Debbie wrote: "Fantastic review, as always, Kevin. I think I gave this a 3, but now you have totally convinced me that I liked it more than I thought, lol. Such is the power of your review!

Ha! You're right! A pogo stick would have greatly improved the efficiency of his pilgrimage, Debbie!! : )
Thank you for your kind words.

Great review 🤗

Jane wrote: "Great review 🤗"

Thank you, Jane! : )

I just stumbled across your beautifully written review. This little gem walked right into my heart quite unexpectedly and it has lingered there. You captured it well, Kevin.

Linda wrote: "I just stumbled across your beautifully written review. This little gem walked right into my heart quite unexpectedly and it has lingered there. You captured it well, Kevin."

Thanks, Linda!
This gentle book was a diversion from my usual genres, but its charm and innocence caught me pleasantly unawares. : )

Loved your review Kev hun. My problem now is to find this book which is somewhere among my overflow of boxed books that won't fit on the shelves. A needle in a haystack comes to mind.

Leila wrote: "Loved your review Kev hun. My problem now is to find this book which is somewhere among my overflow of boxed books that won't fit on the shelves. A needle in a haystack comes to mind."

Thanks, Leila! *typing on hospital WiFi*
This book could be right up your street. It has the same blend of humour and pathos that your wonderful poems have. 😊

This novel touched me in the way you describe it, Kevin ... Thank you!
*Hope you're doing fine, My Dear Friend :)*

Beata wrote: "This novel touched me in the way you describe it, Kevin ... Thank you!
*Hope you're doing fine, My Dear Friend :)*"

It did touch me. This charming, lightweight story surprises you with its pathos.
I am doing fine, wonderful Beata. Hope you are too! : )

I LOVED this story, it’s sequel and your review! ❤️