DO read "The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry"

[Pilgy]

Th is a gem of a book. Not about the Camino per se but a touching novel about a 62 year old disheartened man from Devon who embarks on a pilgrimage in essence to save a long lost friend from dying. If you have walked your Camino you will smile at Harold's experiences meeting strangers along the way, you'll understand his deliberate steady pace, and appreciate how his life is turned around during his 600 mile walk through England. A wonderful story and a nice diversion from real life accounts and guidebooks.

 

[William Marques]

My wife and I have both read it and enjoyed it. Rachel Joyce has written a number of other novels worth reading.

 

[NualaOC]

Hi Pilgy, I agree 100% - it's a really nice book. I think I first heard about it through this forum - someone (perhaps @Tia Valeria ?) mentioned it in another thread.

 

[SabsP]

And do read the sequel too...from the viewpoint of Queenie....

 

[Magwood]

Thanks for that info @SabineP. I didn't realise there was a sequal- I shall look forward to reading it.

 

[LesBrass]

As a Devon girl I felt I had to buy it. I went to Amazon.co.uk and the kindle edition was more than the paperback? So I went onto Amazon.fr and found a used paperback in Very Good condition for 1€... I'll look forward to reading even more now after that bargain

 

[NualaOC]

And do read the sequel too...from the viewpoint of Queenie....

Thanks Sabine, I look forward to reading that too!

 

[movinmaggie]

Sent it to my daghter-in-law for Christmas of 2014. She loved it.

 

[HeidiL]

Thank you - just reserved both books at my library.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Loved both books.
I was brought up to believe "Big boys don't cry!"
This one did.

 

[domigee]

And do read the sequel too...from the viewpoint of Queenie....

'The love song of Miss Queenie Hennessy'

 

[SabsP]

'The love song of Miss Queenie Hennessy'

Call me daft but I'm convinced that people who love these novels are genuine good people....Hmm if I make myself clear?
Really what is not to love about these books.

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/b...ong-of-miss-queenie-hennessy-by-rachel-joyce/

 

[Kiwi-family]

The hippie bit was stretching the story a bit too far in my opinion, but I LOVED the passages on walking.
If you liked those bits you might also enjoy Alastair Humphrey's There Are Other Rivers. It's short, but perhaps my favourite pilgrimage book.

 

[movinmaggie]

For you oldster ladies like me, remember 'Crossing To Avalon' by Jean Shinoda Bolen? Those were the 'seaching' days.
' A memoir celebrates the pilgrimage that heralded her spiritual awakening and leads readers down the path of self-discovery. In this account of her journey to Europe in search of the sacred feminine, she unveils the mythological significance of the midlife search for meaning and renewal.' It's been years….perhaps I'll re-read it.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Th is a gem of a book. Not about the Camino per se but a touching novel about a 62 year old disheartened man from Devon who embarks on a pilgrimage in essence to save a long lost friend from dying. If you have walked your Camino you will smile at Harold's experiences meeting strangers along the way, you'll understand his deliberate steady pace, and appreciate how his life is turned around during his 600 mile walk through England. A wonderful story and a nice diversion from real life accounts and guidebooks.

Yes it is truly a wonderful book!

 

[Hetty]

It was this book that motivated me to take a long walk...I chose the Camino.

 

[KerrieG]

Loved it! Brilliant read!

 

[Pilgy]

And do read the sequel too...from the viewpoint of Queenie....

Just started that one too!

 

[NualaOC]

And do read the sequel too...from the viewpoint of Queenie....

Thanks Sabine, I look forward to reading that too!

I'm half way through this one now - it's a great read. And I LOVE the J Alfred Prufrock references.

 

[Dinkumdigger]

Thanks for bringing Harold Fry and Queenie Hennessy into my life.
I have just read both the books,couldn't put them down,the best read I've had for ages.
There were plenty of times when I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[Lmsundaze]

I loved Harold Fry, in addition to being a wonderful book, gave me insight into my own feelings about pilgrimage.