Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.

I am LOVING this book! Absolutely fantastic! I can't wait to see what others think.

Can't wait to read this - later in the month though.

I just got the ebook from the library. I Should start it in a few days

This is now among my favorite books. Not necessarily the happiest book in the world, but so good.

I'm next on the library waiting list and looking forward to joining in the discussion.

I am about 10% in. I feel a walk-about coming on. I know his wife, among others, must think Harod is a little crazy - not a planned journey - and where would he sleep? But I think that falls in line with faith - I will let go and have faith and somehow these needs will manifest - the universe will provide for me. Also a walk-about is about self discovery - what will Harold discover about himself? And what better way to bring together mind, body, and spirit. To me it would be like meditation but even grounding more aspects of this triad of mind, body and spirit because you will have the body being active as well with the walking as well as long periods of time with yourself and your mind and thoughts. Then it is an adventure - who will Harold meet along the way? What will he learn from others and who will help him along his journey?

Spoiler Alert for Chapter 8-
My favorite scene so far - when Harold dances with the homeless man in the park. Also I loved the story of Queenie and her father playing with her as a child and he would pretend she was invisible - I am officially adopting that game to play with my almost four year old daughter. I bet it will make her giggle too.

I am liking the book so far, at about 40%, but now can't help but cringe a little at him being so ill prepared for this journey, (view spoiler)[he is suffering from whatever is going on with his legs and just got taken to the hospital (hide spoiler)] this is something that really annoyed some other readers. It doesn't annoy me and I want him to make it - I find me rooting for him, but he could make some better choices about maybe getting some better shoes and such.

I still think a theme of the Book is about faith - I posted it somewhere else and somebody commented that they liked the book, thought is was about self discovery but now about faith at all. So I will see. I so far see it as both.

@ RitaSkeeter - How funny, everything I wrote in my first entry applies here and just in the very next section from what I had previously mentioned, these themes do seem to come together with his experience with the Slovakian doctor - things he needs seem to manifest and faith is definitely mentioned:-)

I am about halfway through and I find the themes that resonate most strongly for me are in this order: regret, self-discovery and faith.

Also, the book makes me itch to go on a walking trip somewhere. It's a slightly different type of travel bug! I wish Harold had made better decisions about buying good equipment along the way. Do you all think the author made him this way to make the trip seem all the more difficult and needing lots of faith to undertake?

I started listening today and am right now at Chapter 5. A journey through the memories of life.....

Chapter 18 - when Harold evolves into a Buddhist monk. Simplify, simplify. Let go of these worldly possessions and be at one with God, with the Earth, with humanity.

Sarah - so apt. Parts of Harold's walk brought to mind a Buddhist walking meditation for me as well.

Ha ha - must be - apt. Now on page 205 - "It was so funny, and he was so happy, so much at one with the land beneath his feet, he could laugh and laugh with the simplicity of it." This is a very spiritual book and Harold is definitely on a pilgrimage.

In response to RitaSkeeter:

Now that I've finished the book, I'm not so focused on the shoe question any more. It was when the book kept on about how Harold was a man walking wearing yatching shoes, and also about his injuries. The question just popped into my head. But I did understand that he was probably very attached to that pair of shoes and possibly because it already got him that far, so he didn't feel the need to get another pair of shoes.

Regarding how hard Harold was on himself, I think (view spoiler)[he had not experienced parental love so he in turn did not know how to express it. So he felt that he was a bad father to his son, or didn't do enough for him. He felt that this had caused David to have depression, or that somehow the alcoholism had been genetically passed on to his son. But I feel like he tried his best, and kept trying even when his wife and son had turned against him (the jokes they didn't laugh at etc.) and I'm sure there were some good times for the family, as Maureen finally recalled towards the end. Funny how dislike/disappointment towards a person can make one forget the good memories they once had with that same person. (hide spoiler)]

I think it really has to do with what I said in my very first comment, the power of manifestation, he really is letting go and letting God. He has handed it over to the powers that be trusting what he needs will be provided, which happens over and over again. He even learns that he can ask others for help, he takes nothing more and nothing less, and that he has something to offer to others as well, even if it is just his ear or visiting with them. And we are even seeing the healing power of hope with Queenie, she has something to hope for and it is helping her. Harold also has hope and major healing is taking place with him too, his wife as well - they all are coming back to life, learning to live again, and not in the innocent way of the youth, who simply just do it, but with the lessons of the past (the regrets) and now finding new purpose and rediscovery, with intention.

I smile so much while reading this book - I also did this with and . Most of my books are pretty heavy material and really enjoy when I get to read these kind of books. It lightens my heart.

Finished the book and it was a deeply moving story of memories, pain and regrets sprinkled with humor and joy. I cried often, laughed when appropriate and became frustrated with characters who tried to cheat Harold of his journey.

All in all an excellent story.

I was indignant with those characters too Powder River Rose. Fortunately Harold didn't even bother so I just felt glad for him that he could go back to his solitary peaceful walk.

I am now at a more frustrating part of the Book again and can't help be struck by how he has these characters around him now reminding him of the people of his past who have victimized him in various ways - his father, Mr. Napier, and even his son. I am hoping these end up being something he will confront and stand up to. His weight seems heavier now with these burdens of this bigger community that is forming - it is taking on a life of its own and it seems to be detracting from his journey. He clearly doesn't like confrontation but maybe that is the lesson in all this part for him - to speak up for himself. It is ok to have boundaries for yourself.

Starting today!

I read this as a buddy read for another group summer 2013 and I loved it. I really felt for Harold all the way through. All the characters and plot were well written.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE of HAROLD FRY. In spite of setting out on his trek with no preparation ( he obviously was preoccupied with his memories of Queenie's departure from Kingsbridge), the rest of the story was very realistic. It dealt with many of life's challenges that we all face. I thought the last scene was especially poignant.....haven't we all had tears flow and shortness of breath from laughing uproariously!

This book is so British. I think Harold even makes a comment to himself about his Britishness. I keep hearing Harold in the voice of Peter Sallis, the voice of Wallace in Wallace and Grommet.

One of the things I loved about this book is that both Harold and his wife manage to be honest with themselves and hoist themselves out of the terrible ruts they're in. So many books have characters that are stuck and then just end up digging deeper and hurting each other. It takes a major event in their lives, but I really appreciate the real change that happens in this book.

I'm about 20% into the book so far, and I really like it! Love is still a bit too strong, but I'm hoping to meet some more funny and interesting characters along the way. I see that people here have commented on his lack of preparation, but so far that is one of the things I really enjoy - the spontaneity and belief that everything will sort itself out in the end.

And I so agree with Jim Broadbent being the perfect Harold!

Just started too!

I've been wondering if he even carry enough money for the rest of the journey. There will be many expenses definitely: inns, meals, snacks, band aids, etc. And the author didn't mention whether he brought enough cash or credit card ...

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Carol wrote: "This book is so British. I think Harold even makes a comment to himself about his Britishness. I keep hearing Harold in the voice of Peter Sallis, the voice of Wallace in Wallace an..."

Jim Broadbent is the narrator of the book for audible and I think he made the book for me. I loved this book!

Anny: I too have had concerns with how he's paying for his expenses, but have settled with the thought that he has a credit card and internet bank like everyone else ;) Or maybe everyone find him so charming that they send the bill home to his wife!

@Kaja: I agree that it's very likely he had his credit card in his wallet. Imagine if he had left without his wallet and phone then (because he was just going to post something and be back in a minute), would his journey be feasible at all?

No kidding, Rita! How is it going for you? I am sleeping, eating, and breathing Russian and German accents. I started listening to most of the classics on audible and I love it, but at over 60 hours, War and Peace is definitely a long term commitment!

I've just started and so far I am enjoying it. It will be interesting to see how he is going to travel that far and in those shoes!

Kaja wrote: "Anny: I too have had concerns with how he's paying for his expenses, but have settled with the thought that he has a credit card and internet bank like everyone else ;) Or maybe everyone find him s..."

I thought the same thing.

I had a serious illness in September and the first thing I thought of was traveling - to complete my bucket list. I wanted to go cross country in an old Mercedes like the one my dad had. Then, I became ill again. Now I am planning on doing the Southeast in March. But I have to be more like Harold and just go and hope that people along the way encourage my journey! There is something marvelous about living so spontaneously - that is what makes life such a joy and beautiful! Plus the fact that he is walking is important because he will be more aware of his surroundings and see the beauty in them. His reference to a pilgrimage is quite fitting.

"Life was very different when you walked through it."

I just finished the book and really thought it was wonderful. It had a feeling of sadness and regret, but also hope and inspiration to move forward from one's past and make the future better and more rewarding.

Best book I have read this year so far.

On chapter 12. I was quite sad about the treatment that Harold get from his wife and son. I mean, he's a good decent chap, not a wife-beater or a child-abuser, just one that's not very good at expressing his emotion. Did that made him deserved such cold shoulders from his family?

Just finished this book and loved it! How many people who find life difficult just dream about about leaving it all behind for a while and walk away?

Anja wrote: "Just finished this book and loved it! How many people who find life difficult just dream about about leaving it all behind for a while and walk away?"

When life seems difficult and you want to just leave it all behind, I believe that is God tugging at your heart saying, "Time to come back, and time to try something new." We get so stuck in ruts that we are afraid to let it all go and move on to something else.

I really liked the book. (view spoiler)[ I agree there is a main topic related to Harold's faith that if he can manage to walk to Queenie's, Queenie's will manage to stay alive for some more time. However it seemed also like Harold, and his surroundings were reborn while walking, perhaps related to the cycle of life and death. Understanding how he never wanted to stand out, and now he stood out, thinking of the things of the past, while things would change in the future (his wife had returned to their bedroom..) (hide spoiler)]

Finished! A wonderful albeit a rather sad book. Still, I'm glad the ending was as uplifting as it is realistic.

I am finding this book a little boring. I am only 1/4 of the way done. It is sweet, but it's just not interesting me much. It's seems everyone loves it, so I will keep on it.

I finally finished, and I have to say, it was an enjoyable read. I didn't find it sad, but inspiring. It is never too late to make peace with your past and even though the journey may be difficult, it is well worth it.

Cynthia wrote: "I really liked the book. [spoilers removed]"

I just finished. I agree with what you said also. i was thinking in term of a life "spring cleaning" but your cycle works better, i think.

Overall, i really like it. The part where the media and followers take over bored me but it was probably close to what would have happened in life.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

I still can't imagine why Harold Fry set off on a cross country walk, completely ill-prepared & utterly illogically. Some of Harold's emotional transitions resonated with me, but that didn't make it worth the read. I forced myself to finish reading the book.

Group read January 2014
I read April 2016
My rating: 1-star
Region: Europe/England

I read this book a few years ago and enjoyed it because I admired Harold, who started his journey on the spur of the moment. As we read the book we find out why is wife is the way she is. I like the way she resolved her issues as well.