"I was genuinely surprised by how much I cared for this novel and its protagonist. " ~Lucy B.

I was genuinely surprised by how much I cared for this novel and its protagonist. This book, like Harold’s journey, moves slowly but carefully. And for readers as well as
Harold, it is more about the journey than it is the destination.

Harold’s pilgrimage begins when he receives news that an old co-worker is terminally ill. Without intending to, Harold begins walking to her all across England and into Scotland, where his old friend Queenie is in hospice. As he walks, Harold mulls over past actions and reveals more and more about his relationships to this co-worker as well as to his family.

Many novels are about self-discovery. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, however, is further down the line. This novel is not about discovering who we are, but how we make peace with our life. We all make mistakes and all have experiences we wish we could alter or delete altogether. What I so loved about this novel is that Joyce, through a modest retired Englishman, shows the power of acceptance and the importance of learning through such mistakes. This is a novel that teaches readers how embracing our past is a necessary step for enjoying our future. It is a lesson that we can all take to heart as we journey with Harold.

~ Lucy B.