petraplum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rebbemcc's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow, but it had me thinking. And I do love a book set in England. It's like I automatically think the book is going to be good the same way I automatically think anyone with an English accent is handsome.
megansgc's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one. A very different story that was moving and thought provoking. I found my mind wandering sometimes while reading this because it made me think.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
Stay with me.
For much of this book, I could take it or leave it. It had lovely moments, and, as a great fan of walking for both recreation and exercise, I appreciated some of his private musings*. I was less enchanted by other elements, not because they were bad, but because they didn't quite seem to accomplish anything special. The same thematic underpinings (journey more important than destination, traveling light, power of faith and hope, companions both supportive and false will come and go, ultimately journey is our own, how journey changes us, etc.) that might provoke thought could also be forced or presented with allegory-like lack of nuance. Again, this doesn't mean it's not successful; it just may not be the book for me. A contributing factor to my ambivalence is the inclusion of two tropes which are well-worn and wearying.
However, as I navigated the final chapters, I realized that this book was making more of an impression than I realized. I doubt I can explain it. It may not be revolutionary, but it does craft a space that invites personal participation in the creation of meaning. It elicits emotion and resonance with more subtlety than I initially credited. Yes, for quite a while the characters are so broadly sketched as to be near-caricature, but there's growth both in and around them. Even when revelations aren't that revelatory, they can still have impact.
audiobook note: The absolute best part of this pilgrimage was keeping company with performer Jim Broadbent. His narration is divine. I've always enjoyed his acting, but even with that foreknowledge I was both soothed and mesmerized to a startling degree by the texture with which he gently layers the reading. His interpretation is heartbreaking in the most wonderful way, and no one else could have been such an effective guide.
*e.g., It surprised him that he was remembering all of this. Maybe it was the walking. Maybe you saw even more than the land when you got out of the car and used your feet.
If he kept going forward, he would of course arrive.
For much of this book, I could take it or leave it. It had lovely moments, and, as a great fan of walking for both recreation and exercise, I appreciated some of his private musings*. I was less enchanted by other elements, not because they were bad, but because they didn't quite seem to accomplish anything special. The same thematic underpinings (journey more important than destination, traveling light, power of faith and hope, companions both supportive and false will come and go, ultimately journey is our own, how journey changes us, etc.) that might provoke thought could also be forced or presented with allegory-like lack of nuance. Again, this doesn't mean it's not successful; it just may not be the book for me. A contributing factor to my ambivalence is the inclusion of two tropes which are well-worn and wearying
Spoiler
: one, which I acknowledge is absolutely grounded in reality, the couple driven apart by the death of a child; and two, a character who keeps information from a partner that could have long ago led to healing or at least the removal of an obstacleHowever, as I navigated the final chapters, I realized that this book was making more of an impression than I realized. I doubt I can explain it. It may not be revolutionary, but it does craft a space that invites personal participation in the creation of meaning. It elicits emotion and resonance with more subtlety than I initially credited. Yes, for quite a while the characters are so broadly sketched as to be near-caricature, but there's growth both in and around them. Even when revelations aren't that revelatory, they can still have impact.
audiobook note: The absolute best part of this pilgrimage was keeping company with performer Jim Broadbent. His narration is divine. I've always enjoyed his acting, but even with that foreknowledge I was both soothed and mesmerized to a startling degree by the texture with which he gently layers the reading. His interpretation is heartbreaking in the most wonderful way, and no one else could have been such an effective guide.
*e.g., It surprised him that he was remembering all of this. Maybe it was the walking. Maybe you saw even more than the land when you got out of the car and used your feet.
If he kept going forward, he would of course arrive.
hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
I can't quite figure out how I feel about this book. The descriptions of England were lovely and I want to go. Some of the insights into Harold and other characters were great. But the rest of the book dragged on and often felt emotionally manipulative. I wanted to feel the magic of Harold's pilgrimage but instead I felt increasingly worried about his emotional breakdown and annoyed about his choices.
To be fair, I should state that I did like how the author wrapped up the story of Harold and his wife, and there were enough bright moments to bring it up to three stars.
To be fair, I should state that I did like how the author wrapped up the story of Harold and his wife, and there were enough bright moments to bring it up to three stars.
vakardien's review against another edition
4.0
patiesībā ļoti sirsnīga un labsirdīga grāmata, kas atklāj aiz ikdienības un nolieguma maskām slēptas sāpes un ilgas.
lēni un slīdoši, pārdomāti un galu galā, liek domāt arī pašam lasītājam. par sevi un pasaules kārtību.
pēc izlasīšanas nepamet nospiedoša doma par to, cik patiesībā skumjā pasaulē mēs dzīvojam.
lēni un slīdoši, pārdomāti un galu galā, liek domāt arī pašam lasītājam. par sevi un pasaules kārtību.
pēc izlasīšanas nepamet nospiedoša doma par to, cik patiesībā skumjā pasaulē mēs dzīvojam.
isaacsmi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pleoniesmith's review against another edition
4.0
This was a surprise read for me. My current reading pile (or at least my approach to it) is quite demanding.
I saw the book mentioned on Booktube and thought it would be lighter read.
And so it was. This was a very pleasing read with a very moving story.
On the surface is a story about a lovely man taking a long walk to see an old friend. But what was moving was learning through the stories of Maureen and Harold how starved a life can be when grief, hurt, and loss are not acknowledged.
I'm glad I picked it up.
I saw the book mentioned on Booktube and thought it would be lighter read.
And so it was. This was a very pleasing read with a very moving story.
On the surface is a story about a lovely man taking a long walk to see an old friend. But what was moving was learning through the stories of Maureen and Harold how starved a life can be when grief, hurt, and loss are not acknowledged.
I'm glad I picked it up.
geoffry's review against another edition
3.0
Een zeemzoet boek over nostalgie, fouten rechtzetten en de goedheid in mensen kunnen zien.
fidoe's review against another edition
3.0
Week 21 Book 29
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Rating 3/5
This book is about Harold Fry, a man who has despite having a family, job, wife, son, colleagues... Has lived an invisible kind of life. He is the kind of man who never ruffles any father's, just blends in, never asks questions or challenges authority. He is never impulsive or brave. He is predictable and simple. And life goes on a set path until retirement, and one day he receives a letter from his ex colleague, bidding him goodbye, as she is on her death bed due to cancer. It is then that something breaks in Harold and he does something impossible... He just gets up and starts a totally unplanned journey across England on foot, to bid goodbye to his friend Queenie in person, without telling anyone. The book chronicles his journey, three people he meets on the way, and how all his experiences during the pilgrimage are cathartic. A decent read, just that it's very slow, and boring in parts. Worth one read.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Rating 3/5
This book is about Harold Fry, a man who has despite having a family, job, wife, son, colleagues... Has lived an invisible kind of life. He is the kind of man who never ruffles any father's, just blends in, never asks questions or challenges authority. He is never impulsive or brave. He is predictable and simple. And life goes on a set path until retirement, and one day he receives a letter from his ex colleague, bidding him goodbye, as she is on her death bed due to cancer. It is then that something breaks in Harold and he does something impossible... He just gets up and starts a totally unplanned journey across England on foot, to bid goodbye to his friend Queenie in person, without telling anyone. The book chronicles his journey, three people he meets on the way, and how all his experiences during the pilgrimage are cathartic. A decent read, just that it's very slow, and boring in parts. Worth one read.