The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

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RATING: 5/5

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, written by Rachel Joyce, is a heart wrenching novel which takes place in modern time throughout different cities in England. It is told in third person point of view through the eyes of Harold, an unlikely pilgrim, Maureen, a bitter wife, and Queenie, the woman who unintentionally gives new found hope to a couple. As a person reads this novel, it is very hard to simply accept everything that is being told, given the narrators' personalities and harsh childhood. One cannot help but question the characters' (Harold and Maureen) reasoning when certain events take place, which is probably the one of the only difficulties a reader would have reading this book.

The really great thing about this book is how realistic and progressive it is. It is not one of those books you read in which the reader wishes they could be a character or do something the character does, even though they know it is absolutely impossible. Harold Fry did something many people could do, he walked. He walked and he got all the symptoms a person would get after a long walk, and he also got the benefits of a long walk. In his mind, however, he was doing something so much better. Harold Fry was prolonging a person's life. He had faith and then he lost it, then regained it. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was anything but mono toned, and that is something Rachel Joyce should be applauded for.

I absolutely loved everything about this novel. There was SO MUCH character development (for more than one character), there were struggles, and there were plot twists pouring in when least expected. I was rooting for Harold throughout the entire book and I felt for him. He was such an amazing character, but not because he was perfect. It was all of his flaws that made me love him and want to be there for him, even though I questioned the way he acted sometimes; but everything got cleared up and it made me cry. Even the characters I disliked eventually got better. The way everything played out in the end was perfect and I could not have asked for a better way to end it (but I do want to know the joke). It was a really easy book to read (other than the times I had to try and read through my tears) and I will definitely read it again.

Surprisingly, this is only her first novel and she is currently at work on her second and I cannot wait to read it. I recommend this book to everyone; it is definitely worth your time.