The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry
Paperback Published on: 13/04/2023
Price: £10.99
Bookseller Reviews
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An excellent debut novel
Funny and very moving account of one man's journey the length of England to see an old friend one last time.
Moving and Joyful. Laugh and cry and read it all over again!
Harold Fry is now an old man. He’s lead an unremarkable life and never really committed to anything. He lives with his wife Maureen. They drifted apart a l... READ MORE
WBRG March 2013: Quirky Tale, Universally Loved
It is so rare for our reading group to universally love a book as much as people enjoyed 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry'. Rachel Joyce has pitched ... READ MORE
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
A really fantastic book, a must read!
This is a book about finding yourself after having lost your way. About acceptance and loss and human beings. I loved... READ MORE
A Very British Forest Gump.
I want to start this review with a plea; Please, Hollywood directors, do not pick up this book with the idea of making it into summer’s Blockbuster. High-f... READ MORE
Poignant and funny, a tale for our time
I read this in one sitting; I didn't have much time to choose a book to keep me company as I took my turn sitting with my grandma who was ill...but what a ... READ MORE
Lives up to it's reputation
I have a very bad habit of resisting those books, films and tv shows which everyone else tells me I should be reading (in fact I have still never seen an e... READ MORE
Synopsis
Contains exclusive new behind-the-scenes insights and colour photographs.
Harold is an ordinary man who has passed through life, living on the side lines, until he goes to post a letter one day...and just keeps walking.
This edition includes stills from the film; also exclusive material about adapting novel to book by Rachel Joyce; Rachel Joyce in conversation with the producers; and insights from the producer about the challenges of making the movie.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
- ISBN: 9781529177190
- Number of pages: 416
- Dimensions: 197 x 127 x 28 mm
- Weight: 302g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View all'Beautiful writing '
A friend recommended this book and I'm so glad she did I loved it !
The story of Harold Fry walking 627 miles from Kingsbridge to Berwick to see his frien... READ MORE
It's wonderful, a must read
I really enjoyed the way Rachel drew you immediately into a situation that could have been any ones; the use of language that enabled you to identify with ... READ MORE
A very English story
Harold is 65 & has just retired. There are hints that he's in a loveless marriage but we don't know why. Everything changes one morning when he receives a ... READ MORE
A journey to remember
Retired Harold receives a letter out of the blue from a old work colleague who reveals that she is dying from cancer at the opposite end of the country. He... READ MORE
Too depressing!
Thoughtful rather than action packed, this is an unusual and original book with some interesting characters, although none of them are ever "on stage" long... READ MORE
Lovely read.
I loved this book. I felt like i was on the journey with him which made me laugh and cry. However, i did think it went a bit slow at first which is the rea... READ MORE
A strong start...
A delightful story to begin with, but some of the charm is lost in the later chapters.
moving
'You could be ordinary and attempt something extraordinary'.
This brilliant and moving story is about Harold Fry who up till now didn't get up from his ch... READ MORE
very touching
I loved it. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a very touching novel. I read Perfect Rachel Joyce's second book and as i liked the style of Rachel's ... READ MORE
moving, unpredictable and lovely read
Rachel Joyce has written a real literacy winner here!
I found the story of Harold Fry very moving, highly unpredictable and most enjoyable.
This is such an... READ MORE
A sometimes difficult read
There are very good customer reviews on Amazon which really need little addition too. However, my addition would be to read the last quarter of the book in... READ MORE
Pot Luck- Or unlucky?
Whilst many have labelled this book, which follows the story of a recently retired pensioner named Harold across the country, 'unpretentiously brilliant' o... READ MORE
Loved this book.
What a fantastic thought-provoking book,could hardly put it down,I laughed and cried,the characters were so well thought out,would definately reccomend thi... READ MORE
Brilliant
Loved this book, could barely put it down. So different from anything else I've read. The journey and the relationship between Harold and his wife felt so ... READ MORE
unlikely that i would have liked it
A friend recommended this book and I wasn't entirely sure it would keep me engaged. I am glad to say I was wrong. It's a delightful story, at times I wante... READ MORE
Unpretentiously brilliant
A multitude of emotions crammed into 296 pages. An absolute triumph, and incredibly promising for a first novel. This is an honest novel that does not soun... READ MORE
Read and review 'Pot luck' win.
I had looked at this book and wondered whether I'd like it and decided that it probably wasn't my cup of tea, however I entered the 'Pot luck' draw and won... READ MORE
A unique concept and cute read
A unique premise for a novel that you wouldn’t expect to be entertaining – an old man walking the length of England to save a friend with cancer, but it wo... READ MORE
Good idea but too thin a tale
Harold Fry is jolted out of his retirement routine by the news of the impending death of a former friend. The friend happens to live at the other end of En... READ MORE
Very moving.
Was not sure to begin with but as the story progressed I got to love it and found myself being very moved. I cried a lot at the ending. Very moving.
An abstract diary
'The perks of being a wallflower' is an excellent book, which in short can only be described as a diary written in an abstract way: as a bundle of letters ... READ MORE
Loved it - made me cry!
Just finished reading this book and I cried my eyes out at the end (which, for me, is the sign of a good book. Last time I did that was for 'The Help'). It... READ MORE
The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry
The overall story of the book is rather good and keeps you hooked with the many twists and turns. It is very simply written so is good for all readers exce... READ MORE
A pilgrimage through self-discovery...
Following the story of Harold, who started walking from Kingsbridge to Berwick (600miles) after receiving a letter. The storyline is very interesting and k... READ MORE
A nice gentle read
I found this easy to read, and well written. Harold Fry is a man who I found easy to like, and the storyline was engaging, although I did find the ending a... READ MORE
Very moving
I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and turns along the way!
I did find it to be quite an emotional read - enjoyable and sad all at the same time.
A journey of reminiscence
After receiving a letter from an old friend dying of cancer, Harold Fry moves from delivering his reply at the nearest post box to travelling across Britai... READ MORE
An easy, pleasant read
I throroughly enjoyed Joyce's first novel. The pilgrimage of Harold Fry reminds me of anyone finding themselves. I don't believe you are at a particular ag... READ MORE
Ordinary man. Extraordinary journey.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a thoroughly delightful story!.
Harold Fry, the central character, has hidden depths which surface only after he h... READ MORE
A beautifully structured and empathetic novel.
Rachel Joyce writes in a pleasant and straightforward style, pulling you into the world of Harold Fry the moment you start reading. At first, Harold appear... READ MORE
A heartwarming tale of a damaged man
I thought this book would actually be a bit of a 'chick lit' i.e a bit light. I was gladly proved wrong.
The book starts with the protaganist Harold Fry re... READ MORE
Well worth reading
Recently retired Harold appears resigned to his lot. His life appears dull and predictable; his relationships with his wife Maureen and their son David are... READ MORE
An Amazing Journey
The title of this book is very apt. Harold’s journey could hardly be more unlikely and it is certainly a pilgrimage. Even he doesn’t realise, when he leave... READ MORE
A mind-provoking read
'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' - debut novel by Rachel Joyce.
Retired Harold Fry lives in Kingsbridge with his wife, Maureen. What seems a normal... READ MORE
Capitivating & Enjoyable
I found this book to be a captivating, heart breaking and enjoyable read. Beautifully put together and structured, the characters of both Harold (the main ... READ MORE
Unlikely to disappoint!
I loved this book. I loved the fact that the further Harold walks, the closer he gets to understanding his own sense of self. The better he understands the... READ MORE
A captivating read!
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
This book was a riveting read from start to finish and I found it difficult to put it down. I think ... READ MORE
Couldn't put it down
When I first started this book, I thought the way it was written was very simple - perhaps too simple - and wasn't sure I would enjoy it. But by the time I... READ MORE
It's ok
I bought the book based on Radio 2's recommendation. Whilst the plot was a good concept, I thought all the excitment happened in the last few chapters.
Charming read
This is a charming tale of a retired man who is thoroughly bored with his mudane life and one day grasps an opportunity for some excitement when an unexpec... READ MORE
An interesting read
This was an enjoyable light read, my only slight irritation was the characters lack of physical progress made in the early parts of the book. The character... READ MORE
whimsical tale
Rather enjoyed this gentle tale of a long walk through the beautiful English countryside. Joyce conveys well Harold's misery and intention to put things ri... READ MORE
Not my normal type of book, but I quite enjoyed it
I kind of liked this, even thought it is not the sort of book I would have normally picked up.
This is a book about a journey, but not the walk that Harol... READ MORE
Walking with Harold
Rachel Joyce has written over twenty original plays for BBC Radio 4 and her debut novel stems from one of those plays, written in 2007, a play written for ... READ MORE
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this novel but it’s wonderful. I was worried it would be saccharine or twee but it manages to be understated and kind.... READ MORE
loved this book
I really enjoy this book. Found it a bit 'over the top' in parts but in general it was easy to read and funny, especially when you could relate to some of ... READ MORE
Pot Luck Draw - Not my cup of tea...
I guess I should start with the first sentence of the book - 'The letter that would change everything arrived on a Tuesday.'
Fundamentally, if you liked t... READ MORE
It was just okay
It was simple and easy to read but i felt it lacked anything in the way of interest. It didnt keep my interest and i found myself skipping some of it just ... READ MORE
The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry
Will make you want to give it to your parents to read.
Pretty but forgettable
Harold Fry is the perfect protagonist - an ideal hero. Not in a bulging muscles, troubled-but-sexy way; not in a cunning, canny and sassy-minded way; he is... READ MORE
Worth reading
Harold Fry walks to the postbox but on arrival decides to post the letter by hand, to the other end of the country. This is the story of his journey by foo... READ MORE
Mixed feelings
I have mixed feelings about this novel. I would give it 3.5 stars. It started off well. I like the concept of Harold’s journey from the south coast of Engl... READ MORE
A very good read
I never really expected to be gripped by this book...but that is what happened. A gentle narrative that builds beautifully, with characters that are believ... READ MORE
Quiet and tender
Harold is a gentleman of a certain age, retired, keenly feeling the lack of purpose and direction in his life. His wife, Maureen, runs the house in strict... READ MORE
Fabulous, Emotional, Heartwarming
I loved this book. I was drawn in to the main characters in the first chapter. I found Harold charming and I was invested in him from the start. Maureen wa... READ MORE
Unlikely but magnificent
Harold feels he's let down his wife, his son and his friend Queenie Hennessey. But when Queenie writes to him from a hospice, he replies, but on the way to... READ MORE