The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
by Rachel Joyce.
A lovely evening!
Many thanks to Chris and Pete and welcome to new members Elaine and Steve.
All found the writer’s style to be simple, clear and easy to read.
The descriptions of the countryside were emotive and painted a delightful picture.
All liked the portrayal of the main characters and the stories of Harold, Maureen and David are very poignant and unroll naturally as Harold walks, as a result of his reflections.
There was particular affection for Rex, who puts aside his own concerns to be of assistance to Maureen.
The people he meets on the way all have their own story to tell and their own personal tragedy.
Life is full of people that one may meet fleetingly and then move on.
For some, the book is about kindness and the need to open up to people, whether in relationships or a chance encounter. One never know what sadness people are concealing.
All liked these brief encounters and the resulting cameos.
The book depicts human fallibility and fragility, both via these brief cameos and the story of Harold and Maureen.
The framework of the book provoked much discussion, probably easily countered by the author by her use of the word, “unlikely” in the title.
Some found it easier to suspend disbelief that someone would walk from Southern England to Berwick –on Tweed greater than others.
The basic lack of preparation for such a walk causing particular irritation to those of us who are signed up members of The Ramblers!!!
Another cause of irritation was Harold’s various procrastinations. However, without the walk, there would be no book.
There is much humour in the book, from the cameo of Maureen at the doctor’s to the arrival of the other “pilgrims” and the exit of the dog.
Although the title mentions the word pilgrimage, Harold and Maureen firmly refute any religious significance to it.
For some, Harold needed to resolve the issues in his own life, before he could be part of a relationship.
Some felt he was having a nervous breakdown. When Harold finally did meet Queenie, some felt that he let her down again.
He was horrified by her physical appearance and did not apologise for allowing her to take the blame for his actions.
Was this, however, a result of the author’s personal experiences at the time?
An interesting book that provoked much discussion.
JC
With a warm welcome to new members Steve and Elaine,
we enjoyed a convivial evening with the assistance of a box of Shiraz
donated by Sue's boss. BIG THANK YOU! The Shiraz went down very nicely with the savoury nibbles and the sesame snaps.
The box, which became much lighter as the evening progressed, also carried a couple of book club book suggestions:
Excellent, thank you.
PC.
|
