hmoffatt's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it toward the end but the first half just seemed like hard work. The first book was much more enjoyable.
wanderaven's review against another edition
4.0
If you adored Rachel Joyce's first novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, you will likely welcome and appreciate the companion novel, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy.
But you need to beware, as well.
When I saw Random House offering Queenie's story for early review, I was so excited to read about her end of England. If you haven't read Harold's story, I strongly suggest you do so first. They're companion novels; this isn't a sequel but rather Queenie's story told at the same time as Harold's but though of course because she isn't making a physical pilgrimage across England, much of what we hear from her is the past, and what happened between her and Harold. And Harold's son, David.
Although I liked Harold's story very much, I had some issues with it. I know the book was entitled The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and I understand that a pilgrimage was the point of the novel as, eventually, we realize that the story was more about Harold's own life and experiences than it was about his desire to reunite with Queenie. But his stated purpose was to see Queenie before her death, and it was frustrating as hell to watch him walk for three months to get there when, if his compassionate purpose was to see her and give her some comfort, he could've taken a train or something. A car or a flight, of course, could've helped him arrive sooner but at least a train could've given him time for all that life speculation but also allowed him to see Queenie earlier. Also, his son, a central component of Harold's story, was a complete and utter asshole. Although I liked Harold and felt compassion for his story, it was difficult to feel any concern for his son.
In Queenie's story, David is still an absolutely despicable person. Although his presence is integral to Harold and Queenie's story, I once again despised his presence and couldn't care less about what happened to him.
But it's okay to ignore David because this is Queenie's story. And my warning for you, if you loved Harold's tender and warm story, is that Queenie's is much darker. Although I've seen words like heartwarming used for Harold's story, there was some difficulties and dark days there. Queenie's story is much darker, though, and in the end I liked her story more than I did Harold's. In fact, by the end, I sort of liked Harold and his wife, Maureen, a bit less.
When you read Harold's story, you're not certain as to how Queenie felt about him. Caution: very minor spoilers following. One realizes early on in Queenie's story that she was in love with Harold. I adored how Joyce set this up; Queenie essentially falls in love with Harold the first time she sees him and before they even meet. It's not a fall in love/lust at first sight because he's so handsome or anything but rather because she witnesses both his tender and strong strengths in one fell swoop. Because Harold is married and Queenie also meets him at a difficult transition in her life, this affection for the man she works with only ever brings her heartache, even during those shining moments with him.
Queenie's history and contemporary life is difficult and lonely. She is, after all, in a hospice when Harold sets out to see her. At one point, Queenie writes about how she meets up with some young women out for a hen party and compares her own life to the young bride to be:
"I considered my life. There had been no party, no speech about my kindness, no special dress, no confetti. Nobody had sat with me every evening or woken every morning at my side. And although I told myself it was my choice, that instead I had a garden and my solitude, I felt cold even in the sun and could not eat."
And Queenie's choice is her own; I could see a reader becoming frustrated with her pining, with the decisions she made all because of a man she loved but could not hold: "We expect our happiness to come with a sign and bells, but it doesn't. I loved you and you didn't know. I loved you and that was enough." But I can understand Queenie's story and I felt it was stronger and with more depth and love than Harold's journey. Highly recommended.
But you need to beware, as well.
When I saw Random House offering Queenie's story for early review, I was so excited to read about her end of England. If you haven't read Harold's story, I strongly suggest you do so first. They're companion novels; this isn't a sequel but rather Queenie's story told at the same time as Harold's but though of course because she isn't making a physical pilgrimage across England, much of what we hear from her is the past, and what happened between her and Harold. And Harold's son, David.
Although I liked Harold's story very much, I had some issues with it. I know the book was entitled The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and I understand that a pilgrimage was the point of the novel as, eventually, we realize that the story was more about Harold's own life and experiences than it was about his desire to reunite with Queenie. But his stated purpose was to see Queenie before her death, and it was frustrating as hell to watch him walk for three months to get there when, if his compassionate purpose was to see her and give her some comfort, he could've taken a train or something. A car or a flight, of course, could've helped him arrive sooner but at least a train could've given him time for all that life speculation but also allowed him to see Queenie earlier. Also, his son, a central component of Harold's story, was a complete and utter asshole. Although I liked Harold and felt compassion for his story, it was difficult to feel any concern for his son.
In Queenie's story, David is still an absolutely despicable person. Although his presence is integral to Harold and Queenie's story, I once again despised his presence and couldn't care less about what happened to him.
But it's okay to ignore David because this is Queenie's story. And my warning for you, if you loved Harold's tender and warm story, is that Queenie's is much darker. Although I've seen words like heartwarming used for Harold's story, there was some difficulties and dark days there. Queenie's story is much darker, though, and in the end I liked her story more than I did Harold's. In fact, by the end, I sort of liked Harold and his wife, Maureen, a bit less.
When you read Harold's story, you're not certain as to how Queenie felt about him. Caution: very minor spoilers following. One realizes early on in Queenie's story that she was in love with Harold. I adored how Joyce set this up; Queenie essentially falls in love with Harold the first time she sees him and before they even meet. It's not a fall in love/lust at first sight because he's so handsome or anything but rather because she witnesses both his tender and strong strengths in one fell swoop. Because Harold is married and Queenie also meets him at a difficult transition in her life, this affection for the man she works with only ever brings her heartache, even during those shining moments with him.
Queenie's history and contemporary life is difficult and lonely. She is, after all, in a hospice when Harold sets out to see her. At one point, Queenie writes about how she meets up with some young women out for a hen party and compares her own life to the young bride to be:
"I considered my life. There had been no party, no speech about my kindness, no special dress, no confetti. Nobody had sat with me every evening or woken every morning at my side. And although I told myself it was my choice, that instead I had a garden and my solitude, I felt cold even in the sun and could not eat."
And Queenie's choice is her own; I could see a reader becoming frustrated with her pining, with the decisions she made all because of a man she loved but could not hold: "We expect our happiness to come with a sign and bells, but it doesn't. I loved you and you didn't know. I loved you and that was enough." But I can understand Queenie's story and I felt it was stronger and with more depth and love than Harold's journey. Highly recommended.
jussymclean's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
freyaws's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
raytheron's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite a sequel, more like a companion novel, to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, this is the story of Queeny, her memories of Harold and what followed, as well as what happens while she awaits Harold's arrival. There is a surprising twist to the ending; I'll say no more. A worthwhile read.
shannonb94's review against another edition
5.0
Even more beautiful than The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. This book approaches the end of life and end of life care with such compassion, dignity and ultimately so much love and life. Getting to know Queenie and the details of her ordinary, extraordinary life as she laying dying in the hospice laid such imagery of how we are so much more than our end . I adored it.
.
.
madisonboboltz's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Rachel Joyce REALLY knows how to end a book. My goodness. So emotional. So beautiful. This was a great companion novel to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Love these characters and the themes in these books.
ssurmanis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
notbucket24's review against another edition
3.0
I think if I hadn't read Harold Fry first I would have given this book another star, which isn't fair, but I can't get over the comparison. I just didn't like it as much as that book.
rwidiani's review against another edition
5.0
You find some unforgettable book characters and the ones in this book, also from the paralel book, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, will stay long in my heart.
This book is from the view of the ill friend, who is dying of cancer and together with the other patients in the hospice, is waiting for the coming of Harold Fry, who just decided to walk a long distance to visit her.
She had a lot of stories to tell him, about her love to him, but also about the regret that she hide for years.
These two books got me thinking about a lot of things.
What would you do if your close friend, whom you've never seen in such a long time, sent you a farewell postcard?
How do you face death, what love is all about?
Unselfishness love is seeing your loved one happy without you...
This book is from the view of the ill friend, who is dying of cancer and together with the other patients in the hospice, is waiting for the coming of Harold Fry, who just decided to walk a long distance to visit her.
She had a lot of stories to tell him, about her love to him, but also about the regret that she hide for years.
These two books got me thinking about a lot of things.
What would you do if your close friend, whom you've never seen in such a long time, sent you a farewell postcard?
How do you face death, what love is all about?
Unselfishness love is seeing your loved one happy without you...