The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (or, if you’re me, just Harold)
Rachel Joyce
July 2012
336 pages
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The first few times I saw mention of this book, I was all “meh, that’s not really my thing.” But then I was talking to Ti, and we were bashing Wild (it’s fun! You should try it!), and she said that, even though it is fiction, Harold was the book she wanted Wild to be.
So suddenly I was counting the days until it was released.
And then Nancy (thank you, Nancy!) offered to send me her copy of the ARC she read. Sweet! (Except I passed it on to my mom before I snapped a picture, so then I had to stealthily take the above photo in a bookstore easily recognizable from that damn sticker they like to plaster on the front cover.)
So I headed off on vacation with book in hand, happy as a clam.
And lucky for Harold, this was one of the few books I actually managed to read while I was on vacation (sometimes when given a choice between books and bumper cars, you just gotta go with the bumper cars).
So I discovered that Ti was right. This is totally the book that I wanted Wild to be.
One day after receiving a letter from an old friend, Harold kind of accidentally on purpose takes off walking to see her. He has nothing with him but his wallet, and he’s walking in deck shoes. The walk becomes a way of keeping his old friend alive, and also a way of looking back at his life and regrets. It also turns into a bit of an Event, complete with media circus (that part of the book I didn’t much care for), but Harold eventually gets back on track and ends up where he needs to be. Both literally and figuratively…he comes to some realizations about life and I was left with the impression that his life had gotten back on track (after a 20 years or so detour).
This is in total contrast to the sex-obsessed, poor me I’m an orphan trail thoughts that I was subjected to with Wild. Trust me, people…Harold might have his flaws, but he’s a lot more fun than Cheryl.
I’m glad to hear it was better than Wild, but I still don’t think it is for me. I’m not into trekking (not for myself and not even vicariously!)
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “1222” by Anne Holt
I can’t remember for sure, but I think I ordered this on audio from my library. I almost bought Wild because I had all these expectations but then you all talked me down. Because I could totally see myself going off the deep end and walking cross country. (These days, Jill, you should be worried that this indeed will happen and I will show up on your doorstep, smelly and crazed.)
Sandy´s last [type] ..Are You My Mother? – Alison Bechdel
Hummm. Now I’m rethinking this. I don’t know why I wasn’t attracted to it — and I like to walk / hike / trek (although maybe not the way Harold did).
Beth F´s last [type] ..Today’s Read: Trickster’s Point by William Kent Krueger
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last [type] ..Review: And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman
I love all the endorsements that this book is getting, and I will be reading it soon! A good friend also passed me her copy. I wasn’t crazy about reading Wild, so I will have to see what happens with this one!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich — 272 pgs
1) Love the title 2) I’ve been meaning to read Wild for a while–I think she’s a local author, maybe? Or else she’s friends with my friend who is a local author. 3) Now I’m not sure which one to read!
Ali (Worducopia)´s last [type] ..True Confessions
Read them both?
Care´s last [type] ..Diversity in Fantasy
I recently won a giveaway and have been anxiously checking my mailbox – can’t wait to read it!
JoAnn´s last [type] ..See You In September
I adored this book and bawled my eyes out. It will definitely go on my favorite books read in 2012 list, no doubt about it!
Natalie ~ the Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..Fingerprints of You, by Kristen-Paige Madonia
On vacation bumper cars always trump books! I’m looking forward to this one.
bermudaonion(Kathy)´s last [type] ..At the movies: Hope Springs
Glad you liked it. I think a lot of readers blow it off for its cartoony cover which is a shame.
Ti´s last [type] ..Review, Tour & Giveaway: 12-21
We are on the same reading path Jill. I just drafted my review about Harold Fry — LOL Loved him:) poor guy
Diane@BibliophilebytheSea´s last [type] ..First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros
Have you ever thought about taking off with just your wallet?
heidenkind´s last [type] ..Movie Review: THE HUNGER GAMES
I keep going back and forth on this. Looks like it is back on the YES list now.
Care´s last [type] ..Diversity in Fantasy
I’ve been sort of eh on this book too… but every review has said it’s really lovely. And I actually liked Wild, so maybe I would like this even more?
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..Review: ‘Ascent of the A-Word’ by Geoffrey Nunberg
I think I have got to try this one. Thanks, Fizzy!
bybee´s last [type] ..Come Back To The ROK, Linda Sue, Linda Sue
You know you can just grab book cover images off the Internet, right? : )
Considering I like Wild, I don’t know how to feel about this book. I’m confused.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Our Cruise Vacation: R to Z
so I didn’t know this was about a hike or walk or movement until now. For some reason I was thinking Irish but I’m not really sure how I got that into my head–maybe because we voted on this book for our October book club meeting and I’ll be in Ireland. D’oh. So sad about Wild–it really wasn’t THAT bad!!!
Trish´s last [type] ..Pinterest Pin It Do It – August Progress
Oh, I loved this one! It was the perfect read for me, even though initially I felt that this might be meh.
Athira´s last [type] ..The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Thanks for your thoughts.
You have me thinking I should skip Wild and stick to this one.
Which makes me happy, because I’ve got this one on my TBL.
Juju at Tales of Whimsy…´s last [type] ..Audiobook Review: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
Glad to see you liked this one – it’s one of the books I was most disappointed about missing out on over the summer. I’m hoping to get to it soon, though… so many books, so little time!
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