Audio-Bibliophiles discussion

The discussions for this book will start March 1st.

Please be courteous to others and don't post too many "spoilers" without at least posting what chapter you are on so others know if you are further ahead than what they themselves are. You may even use spoiler tags if you wish.

Most of all...Enjoy the book & the discussions.

I hope this book will be ready for me in the next few days.

I hope its ready for you soon too Linda.

I am enjoying it so far. I am only an hour into it. Working from home these last couple of days has kept me from progressing too much farther so I will still be pretty close to the beginning come March 1.

This book brought up an interesting thought for me today - how often do two people attend the same event, experience the same moment, and have a completely different view of what happened? This happens in the book when (view spoiler)[ Maureen remembers her first meeting differently then Harold remembers it. Well, not differently, but different parts in different ways (hide spoiler)] In the words of my boss - this is truly fascinating...

I thought I would have this book waiting on me at the library today - so sad to say it is still not ready for me. So, I'm going to listen to a different audio book starting tomorrow and hopefully this one will be ready by the end of the week - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I have 1 1/2 hours left on the one I'm listening to, then I plan on starting this one. Hopefully I'll start it on Wednesday.

Sounds good. :)

I finished the first of the two downloads from audible yesterday so that puts me at a litle more than halfway through the book. I am enjoying it.

I have just under 4 hours left in this story. Its beautiful. I am very much enjoying this book.

WOW!!!!! I just finished this. Awesome book.

(view spoiler)[
I never saw the fact that his son (David) was dead - shocking

The journey that both Harold and Maureen went on was awazing to watch. I want to gather both of them in my arms and hold them tight.

Poor David, what drove him to commit suicide? Could have something saved him? Was it is parents that drove him to it? To see a troubled child that grew to be a troubled adult just breaks my heart. I feel like I have so much love to give a child and can't and I see these kids, who, had they had more love?, may have grown up differently?

I liked how the author added the piece about the media and the other people that joined the pilgrimage and the people that took advantage of something and someone so sincere. It made the book more real. Altough now that I am finished with the book, the whole book was extremely real, dealing with very real topics.

Now that I am finished, I see now the true purpose of the book wasn't so much about the actual journey that Harold was taking but all about the death of their son that took 20 years for them to deal with.

(hide spoiler)]

I'm only about 2 1/2 hours into the story. It is getting more interesting as it goes. I would love to know (view spoiler)[ what Harold did to his wife. It keeps talking about an event. He says how things were before & after...I keep thinking I've missed something somewhere but I'm assuming the author hasn't told us yet. I feel sort of sorry for Harold, his marriage isn't much of one. They seldom even talk to each other & he has no relationship with his son. I also want to know why Queenie is so important to him. Is there more to their relationship than what I've heard so far?? So far I have more questions than answers. I hope all will be revealed by the end. (hide spoiler)]

I thought I was missing things throughout the book too. I often found myself re-winding to make sure I didn't miss anything. It does all get answered in time, all the questions you posed definitely get answered. Thinking about, to get to those answers are part of the pilgrimage for the reader - or at least one could make that correlation. I can't wait to hear what you think when you get to the end :)

A-ha! A Reading Pilgrimage!! Yes, that would be a good correlation.

:) the more I thought about it last night the more I felt that I did go on a pilgrimage of sorts too. It was a very cool thought and further impressed me about this author.

:stomping my foot: I have one more person ahead of me before I can get my hands on this book!!! I will keep my fingers crossed that I will have it sometime next week.

Fingers crossed :)

I hope you get it soon too Linda! It really is turning into a very introspective book. It's not really what I expected, which I think is a good thing :)

I got about another 1 1/2 hours in & I love this book more the further it goes. I'm in Ch. 15 and here's something I'm wondering (view spoiler)[ first, I wonder...is David dead?? I can't say why I think this but we know something happened with him 20 years ago & Harold blames himself. His room is the same as when he left it. We haven't actually "seen" him. Only part that throws me is that Maureen talks to him on the phone. I think that is part of her issues though...he's not really there, she just imagines it.

Also, what did Queenie do for Harold? It just explained that she was fired & took the blame for him. What exactly happened? Another one of those times I feel like I missed something.

I love how Harold is examining his life as he walks. His interaction with the Slovakian (sp?) woman was very revealing. (hide spoiler)]

I have to take my Mom back to Virginia tomorrow for an appointment on Monday. It's a 4 1/2 hour drive but the book tends to throw out the "F" word here & there and my mom doesn't like that sooooo guess I'll have to wait until I get home.

Nikki I think I rewound the story several times looking for what Queenie did and I thought I missed something too. Its later in the book where you find out, you didn't miss anything.

As for the David piece, that never crossed my mind. Interesting...

I have about an hour & 45 minutes left & this has been an excellent story. The personal introspection he & his wife for that matter, go through is insightful. It has totally transformed Harold's life. I am currently (view spoiler)[ watching poor Harold question himself & become so depressed now that the journey is almost complete. I was glad when the rest of the "pilgrims" left. He would have been so much better off traveling by himself. There is still things I am waiting to be revealed...what did Queenie do for him & how did Harold let down David. I believe Harold and Maureen will survive now, I was glad she drove to see him. I kinda wish she had decided to walk with him but I guess she knows she couldn't do that. <\spoiler> I do believe I will finish this tomorrow. I'm so glad I listened to this book. Very moving story that makes you really think about your own life. (hide spoiler)]

I felt the asked way Nikki. And you will get your answers very soon. :)

I just finished and I have to say this was an excellent read. I loved Harold's journey...such a gamut of emotions. (view spoiler)[ I wondered if i might be reaching a bit about David but I see I was right. I didn't know if it was suicide but it wasn't surprising to find out it was. I see that I assumed Maureen's talks with David were on a phone, but I guess it never said that, it just mentioned Maureen "talked" to David.

I was surprised about what Queenie did for Harold. I knew those clown figurines were important in some way but I had forgotten about them. Poor Harold! What a mess he got into but Queenie saved him. She was a true friend.

I felt so bad when Harold pretty much had his emotional breakdown. I wasn't sure he was ever going to make it to see Queenie. I honestly feared he might be too far gone & might think of taking his own life. I would have seriously been upset at that. I knew he & Maureen could have a good life together if he would just make it back home to her. (hide spoiler)] I am so glad this book was chosen as the monthly read. I'm honestly not sure I would have tried it otherwise.

Nikki I am so glad you liked it too! And so very glad that you read something that you wouldn't have normally have reached for.

(view spoiler)[I thought they were talking on the phone too. I was so surprised when you saw it coming so early in the book. I was completely thrown, especially when they talked about Harold's Journey and he "convinced" her to see the doctor.

And the clown figures totally slipped my mind too. I can remember exactly where I was when I found out he smashed them. Its so weird how things stay like that with us.

When he first got to where Queenie was I thought he wasn't going to go in to see her, but I am glad that it worked out the way it did. Poor Queenie, to be so alone and when someone did something extraordinary for her, she was too far gone to even realize it. The poor thing. BUT I am glad the journey allowed Maureen and Harold to face their tragedies and move on. I guess this book proves that you are never too old to learn new tricks. (hide spoiler)]

I totally agree with you Jennifer. This book was definitely a mind opener. Made you think about a lot of things.

Can you ladies believe that I am still waiting on this book!! Good thing we still have 2 weeks left in the month!!!

Its worth waiting for Linda. :)

I am so pleased this book was listed as a group read for I might have otherwise overlooked it -- and it was a great delight. Pilgrimage stories often lag and become repetitive. This one kept the focus on the relationships and remained fresh. It is a good book for persons across age groups but my top recommendation for older fiction readers.

I am so glad you liked it Correen. :)

It is definitely a great book for all ages. Why do you feel that the older fiction readers would especially connect with it?

It is a story about an older couple whose relationship has gone through a crisis from which it did not recover (yet.) The pilgrimage is about losses, loyalties, and renewal -- all major concerns in aging which in the conclusion, Harold and his wife address. All ages can relate to the journey -- a highly simplified tale of Odysseus. Older persons can share Harold's perspective of a career gone, a family raised, a changing of possibilities and a need for a new perspective.
A harsher but an excellent, funny book that follows a journey for a more compromised couple is The Leisure Seeker. I do not advise it for most older persons, however, only those who accept the physical problems that accompany late life.

I can see that, Correen. Like you said, the book can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Where its good for younger people to read is to see how something can stay with you for years and years and erode your life to the point where you wonder if you are really living.

Jennifer wrote: "I can see that, Correen. Like you said, the book can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Where its good for younger people to read is to see how something can stay with you for years and years and ..."

I agree. Also, everyone goes on a journey through life and must learn to enjoy life and cope with loss even when when it is difficult. I used to have a saying (by Ken Keyes, I think) next to my bathroom mirror that said "To complain about what you don't have is to waste what you do have." It is folksy but I wanted to think about it before I saw my children and went to work each morning.
I think I should go back and give this book five stars because it is an excellent, accessible allegorical novel.

I love that quote! And very relevant to me and mine line of thinking lately.

Wow. Thank you, group, for choosing this book. What a great way to start my experience with you-all! I didn't even know this existed, it def. needs more exposure.

Has anyone read The Pilgrim's Progress? Correen, you briefly compared it to other pilgrimage books - do you think Joyce had particular classic sources in mind?

I think of all the minor themes, the bits that appear in loops and repetitions. And of how Harold's route sometimes loops, sometimes goes backwards.

There's just not one word or idea wasted or one opportunity missed. For example, when the doctor who is minding her partner's dog washes Harold's feet, it reminded me of the story of Jesus & Mary Magdalene. And then there's another dog that plays a key role later. And then at the end (view spoiler)[Maureen washes Harold's feet (hide spoiler)].

I have a feeling the Garage Girl represents a particular iconographic literary figure, too. And (view spoiler)[Rich reminds me of the boys in Lord of the Flies. (hide spoiler)]

All that allegory - and funny and touching, too.

More later. I'm just almost incoherent with awe right now.

I'm so glad you joined us on this discussion Cheryl and that you loved the book! It was definitely a surprising read.

I also thought about Jesus & Mary Magdalene when the doctor was washing Harold's feet. It immediately came to mind.

Can't wait to see what you post later :)

Cheryl I like your comment about Harold looping and going backward in his journey. I didn't think about it at the time but now that you pointed it out, it makes perfect sense and I can see the importance of that to the story. Its like we are going on two journey's - his trip to see Queenie and revisiting the past.

I finally got my hands on this one ladies!!! I started it on yesterday, it is going well so far and I am enjoying this book. I think it is my first pilgrimage book.

Harold & Maureen's relationship made me sad, how they pulled apart from each other, well, how Maureen pulled away from Harold, and he let her. And David, I just want to smack him!!! When Harold started the walk to visit Queenie, I thought it was very odd, how he just decided while going to the postoffice that he would just walk to see her, he didn't make a plan, or talk to his wife. I suppose since they were so far away from each other, it didn't really matter that he just took off on an adventure like that.

I love how Harold purchases souvenirs along the way for Queenie and Maureen.

I am on disc 5.

you are making great progress Linda. :) I am so glad you were able to get this one to read with us. Yay!

Me too, I was really worried that I would not get a copy before the month ended.

I liked how, at the beginning, I didn't even like Maureen, and couldn't imagine why they were married. I even expected that this would a 'quest for identity' story and they'd realize they were better off apart. But that would be too cheap, too much of a cliche and cop-out for this talented author.

I also predicted, early on, that Harold and Queenie's mysterious past was about an affair. Again, the author doesn't make it that easy.

I'd bet the particular souvenirs he chooses for his wife and for his friend have particular symbolic meaning, too, if we think about them. Linda, others, do you remember some examples of what he bought?

Did anybody else have to look up 'yachting shoes' - ? I thought maybe they were cheap canvas deck shoes, but it's more likely they were more like Sperry Top-Siders, which I only know from preppie college kids in the 1980s. Not proper hiking boots, but much better footwear than he might have had on, considering he was only going down the mailbox. Definitely worth resoling.

Was anybody else reminded of Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler? It's been awhile since I read that, and I recall not getting much out of it - maybe I should read it again now that I'm closer in age and attitude to the characters.

Or, maybe not, because a truly wonderful book should appeal to and be appreciable even by people of other ages - and (as several of you have said) Joyce's book is transcendent that way.

Oh, and I'm curious if the cover illustration influenced your perception at all? I think if I'd read I'd have struggled with it a bit more, been influenced to feel more serious and sad....

Cheryl your thoughts about the gifts being symbolic are interesting. I never thought about them in that way. I'm not sure I remember all of the gifts, I'm thinking bath salts, a pot of honey, several other things.

I like you were surprised in the beginning that Harold & Maureen were married. They had an odd relationship.

I remember placemats and pens. I remember thinking what sill souvenirs and not at all thoughtful. For me the symbolism, at least for Maureen's gifts, was that they were not very personal and had no real deep thought to them showing that their relationship had lost some kind of key connection.

Cheryl, interesting point about the covers. I personally would have still picked this one up as I was first introduced to it as I read if you liked you will like this one. I absolutely adored so I immediately put this one on my TBR list.

Um, I was not surprised that they were married, but that they were still married despite all their unhappiness. Sorry to be unclear, and thanks for giving me a chance to clarify.

I liked, but didn't love, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and I'm not sure what the connection is between the two books.

But I do agree about the souvenirs - they didn't seem all that thoughtful, despite the fact that he did spend time choosing them. Possibly an additional meaning was just in the idea that modern society makes us feel like we have to buy stuff, especially on trips, and one thing Harold learned later was the value of paring down, of simplifying.

That was the only reason I had this book on my TBR list Jennifer. Since Audible kept telling me if I liked that I should like this one. Otherwise, I never would have given it a second look.

As for the shoes, I kept meaning to look up what exactly they were but forgot. I just did...so they are Boat shoes (that's what I've always known them as anyway). I definitely couldn't imaging walking that far in a pair of those!!

Those are the exact shoes I was picturing too Nikki. I think the shoes play an important part in the story. The shoes, like Harold, are not meant to go on great journeys like that, yet with some upkeep, they both made it. The story wouldn't have been the same had he purchased the walking boots he debated over.

Thank you for posting the shoes Nikki, these are the shoes that I had in my head. These are a very unlikely choice, which also goes along with Harold not planning to make this walk to see Queenie in person. I am much further in this book now, and with reading the parts where I am and the beginning when Harold decided to take the walk, it was a total spur of the moment thing, but why could he not just go back home and get the supplies and the proper gear that he needed, I just don't get why he had to start walking right then and there with what he had with him.

Okay, this is from disc 11 - somewhere around chapter 26 or maybe 27. (view spoiler)[ I was totally surprised to read that David, Harold & Maureen's son killed himself - am I alone in this discovery?? (hide spoiler)]

I think I lost the meeting of the garage girl. For some reason, I can't remember their conversation or when Harold met her. Can anyone tell me which disc it is on - I would like to go back to listen to it.

Especially after (view spoiler)[ reading the letter that Harold wrote to her spilling his guts, I was in total shock after that (hide spoiler)]

Linda wrote: "I think I lost the meeting of the garage girl. For some reason, I can't remember their conversation or when Harold met her. Can anyone tell me which disc it is on - I would like to go back to liste..."

I can't tell you for sure which disc since I listened to mine using my audible app, but i think it should have been Disc 1. It was when he first started out to mail the letter. He kept walking & stopped at the garage. She showed him how to microwave a burger. He told her about Queenie and she told him about how her faith saved her aunt (I think it was her aunt anyway) and how he should keep walking to save Queenie. It was a very odd conversation anyway.

Ohhhh, I think I do remember that conversation now. Isn't it odd the people that he decide to really bond with, well to me anyway. You know this letter that he wrote to her was a pretty indepth letter, I guess he wrote it because she shared so much of her personal life with him and he didn't really share much with her.