The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
jackie_marion's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Alcohol, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death
bookishlysophie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An incredibly emotional book overall. I knew there was something going on very early but it’s slowly teased and the reveal is satisfying. The ending leaves you with mixed feelings but it’s accurate and I loved the character development. I’d highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Suicide
hylian_narwhal's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Cancer, Body horror, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
jhbandcats's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I just finished Rachel Joyce’s Miss Benson’s Beetle for the second time; I think that book is just delightful. Someone in my book group mentioned the Harold Fry book so I decided I’d read it next. I was really disappointed.Â
Miss Benson’s Beetle has cute and quirky characters - fairly annoying but basically lovable - who really enliven the story. I had a hard time with The Unlikely Pilgrimage because I found the characters either dull or flat, and the story uninteresting. While there’s a sequel that deals with Queenie, it would have been nice to learn more about her here. As it is, I was left feeling I didn’t know her at all.Â
And the secrets revealed at the end weren’t interesting or compelling enough to have been worth the wait. I had to keep pushing myself to read this - it wasn’t a book I couldn’t wait to read after I’d set it down, and I didn’t spend my time away from the book thinking about the characters and their lives.Â
I’m disappointed to have been disappointed. And I won’t bother reading the sequel about Queenie. Maybe someone can just tell me what happens.Â
Miss Benson’s Beetle has cute and quirky characters - fairly annoying but basically lovable - who really enliven the story. I had a hard time with The Unlikely Pilgrimage because I found the characters either dull or flat, and the story uninteresting. While there’s a sequel that deals with Queenie, it would have been nice to learn more about her here. As it is, I was left feeling I didn’t know her at all.Â
And the secrets revealed at the end weren’t interesting or compelling enough to have been worth the wait. I had to keep pushing myself to read this - it wasn’t a book I couldn’t wait to read after I’d set it down, and I didn’t spend my time away from the book thinking about the characters and their lives.Â
I’m disappointed to have been disappointed. And I won’t bother reading the sequel about Queenie. Maybe someone can just tell me what happens.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Cancer, Grief, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
dani_2006's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Addiction, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Suicide
hollygon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Grief and Addiction
Minor: Suicide
nikexistiertnik's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
i don't really know what i expected when i started reading this book, but it definitely wasn't that i'd spend all the last chapters crying.
i think i'd give the book more of a 4.5, and there were some things throughout the story that i didn't really enjoy, but right now, i am way too deep in my feelings to give it any less than 5 stars.
i think i'd give the book more of a 4.5, and there were some things throughout the story that i didn't really enjoy, but right now, i am way too deep in my feelings to give it any less than 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Chronic illness and Drug use
Minor: Domestic abuse
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
"He had learned that it was the smallness of people that filled him with wonder and tenderness, and the loneliness of that too. The world was made up of people putting one foot in front of the other; and a life might appear ordinary simply because the person living it had done so for a long time. Harold could not longer pass a stranger without acknowledging the truth that everyone was the same, and also unique; and that was the dilemma of being human."
Harold Fry's lonely and sad retirement with struggling and distant wife Maureen is interrupted by the arrival of a letter from Queenie Hennessy. Harold and Queenie worked together at a brewery in Dorset, but haven't seen one another for years, which Harold regrets. Queenie tells him she is dieing. So Harold writes back, but his walk to the post box doesn't stop there; he continues until he decides to walk to Berwick-upon-Tweed, where Queenie is in a hospice. This is despite the huge distance and the fact Harold is wearing impractical yachting shoes and has forgotten his mobile phone. Will Harold make it to Queenie and will Maureen forgive him?
Harold's slow but steady walk up the country is both joyful and full of hardship, as Harold finds himself using the time to recall difficult memories and events, including around his and Maureen's distant grown-up son, David. Harold meets all sorts of people on his travels, stays in B&Bs, sleeps wild, accepting the kindness of strangers, becoming a national hero, meeting those determined to accompany him on his unusual pilgrimage and questioning why he is doing this incredibly difficult journey.
This is a heartwarming and life-affirming read I thoroughly enjoyed. Harold, despite his misgivings, is a good man and his journey helps him, and Maureen, to come to terms with a lot that has happened in their lives. Joyce's writing is elegant and descriptive, engaging and affectionate. This would make a wonderful gift.
Harold Fry's lonely and sad retirement with struggling and distant wife Maureen is interrupted by the arrival of a letter from Queenie Hennessy. Harold and Queenie worked together at a brewery in Dorset, but haven't seen one another for years, which Harold regrets. Queenie tells him she is dieing. So Harold writes back, but his walk to the post box doesn't stop there; he continues until he decides to walk to Berwick-upon-Tweed, where Queenie is in a hospice. This is despite the huge distance and the fact Harold is wearing impractical yachting shoes and has forgotten his mobile phone. Will Harold make it to Queenie and will Maureen forgive him?
Harold's slow but steady walk up the country is both joyful and full of hardship, as Harold finds himself using the time to recall difficult memories and events, including around his and Maureen's distant grown-up son, David. Harold meets all sorts of people on his travels, stays in B&Bs, sleeps wild, accepting the kindness of strangers, becoming a national hero, meeting those determined to accompany him on his unusual pilgrimage and questioning why he is doing this incredibly difficult journey.
This is a heartwarming and life-affirming read I thoroughly enjoyed. Harold, despite his misgivings, is a good man and his journey helps him, and Maureen, to come to terms with a lot that has happened in their lives. Joyce's writing is elegant and descriptive, engaging and affectionate. This would make a wonderful gift.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Terminal illness, and Death
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