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rjeffy's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
mollyhyland's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aligra77's review
3.0
This is the final part of the Harold Fry storyline and is centred around Harold’s wife Maureen. Although well written, it just doesn’t pack the punch of the The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, to me it feels a bit of an unnecessary add on. The storyline is based around Maureen’s eventful journey to visit Queenie's garden in the North of England where Queenie has installed a remembrance to David, Maureen and Harold's late son. Maureen is an awkward personality and unlike Harold doesn’t connect well with strangers, however due to certain mishaps along the way she has to reach out for help and we see her drop her guard and soften. For me the transformation of her character felt rushed and not entirely believable. That said it’s an engaging read and a short book of around 140 pages, within it there are some moving moments and enough content to tug at the heartstrings. I’m not sure reading this as a self contained book would work though and think it would help to have read the previous two books in the trilogy. I received a free copy of this book. A favourable review was not required and all opinions expressed here are my own.
frietje9's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death
katykelly's review
5.0
Grief and forgiveness as seen from another point of view: Harold's wife.
Harold Fry touched so many hearts a decade ago. His walk of self-discovery, heart-warming and life-affirming. I read it then and remember the feelings I experienced reading it. I also enjoyed expanding my view of his world with Queenie's story. And now I really do admire Joyce for finishing this exploration of grief and life with the story that often gets missed out - the person left behind while the adventures are going on stage front.
Maureen. I can barely remember her from the first book. And the first pages made me feel guilty about that. She also lost the son that Harold did. She was stuck at home while he wandered the length and breadth of the country seeking answers, bonding with strangers, on a worthy odyssey.
"Harold was walking the length of England to save a women he had worked with once, while Maureen cleaned the kitchen sink."
Now it's her turn. And straightaway we are taken into the real world - the times have also changed - nods to Anti Vax slogans and Fake News place her story in a new and changed England.
Maureen is not going to walk hundreds of miles. No she doesn't like talking to strangers. She is practical, planning Harold's meals while she's away. Harold has convinced her to visit Queenie's memorial garden to their dead son. She remains unconvinced, spiky, cold. "Okay then, I'm going, I'm going.... though, if you don't mind, I won't walk. I'll take the more conventional route, thank you very much. I'll drive."
This is a real woman. And real things happen to her on her car journey - long traffic jams, getting lost, arguments in cafes, not liking the people she meets on the way. Seeing Harold in the background, older and slowing down but still with his travels in his head (and scars on his feet) felt both connecting and sad, again - we see the 'after' of a book that ended but for him, hasn't.
As someone three decades younger than Maureen, I could still identify with her, not just the guilt/grief of a parent, but simply what one wants from life: "Surely it wasn't too much to ask that you get to the end, and looking back, you don't fill with horror and bitterness at all the things you got wrong... the mistakes you made..." Maureen is given chances throughout to connect with others, to show kindness and accept kindness, as Harold did. She's not Harold, you ache for her to reach out to others - can she do it?
I cried. Cos Maureen is hurting, and underneath we all feel the pain of grief and guilt just as badly. And her quest, even though she'd poo-poo the idea of calling it that, might still bring her some answers, some relief, some peace. You'll have to read it to see.
A brief novel, packs a heartfelt oomph still, with a very recognisable and touching protagonist.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Harold Fry touched so many hearts a decade ago. His walk of self-discovery, heart-warming and life-affirming. I read it then and remember the feelings I experienced reading it. I also enjoyed expanding my view of his world with Queenie's story. And now I really do admire Joyce for finishing this exploration of grief and life with the story that often gets missed out - the person left behind while the adventures are going on stage front.
Maureen. I can barely remember her from the first book. And the first pages made me feel guilty about that. She also lost the son that Harold did. She was stuck at home while he wandered the length and breadth of the country seeking answers, bonding with strangers, on a worthy odyssey.
"Harold was walking the length of England to save a women he had worked with once, while Maureen cleaned the kitchen sink."
Now it's her turn. And straightaway we are taken into the real world - the times have also changed - nods to Anti Vax slogans and Fake News place her story in a new and changed England.
Maureen is not going to walk hundreds of miles. No she doesn't like talking to strangers. She is practical, planning Harold's meals while she's away. Harold has convinced her to visit Queenie's memorial garden to their dead son. She remains unconvinced, spiky, cold. "Okay then, I'm going, I'm going.... though, if you don't mind, I won't walk. I'll take the more conventional route, thank you very much. I'll drive."
This is a real woman. And real things happen to her on her car journey - long traffic jams, getting lost, arguments in cafes, not liking the people she meets on the way. Seeing Harold in the background, older and slowing down but still with his travels in his head (and scars on his feet) felt both connecting and sad, again - we see the 'after' of a book that ended but for him, hasn't.
As someone three decades younger than Maureen, I could still identify with her, not just the guilt/grief of a parent, but simply what one wants from life: "Surely it wasn't too much to ask that you get to the end, and looking back, you don't fill with horror and bitterness at all the things you got wrong... the mistakes you made..." Maureen is given chances throughout to connect with others, to show kindness and accept kindness, as Harold did. She's not Harold, you ache for her to reach out to others - can she do it?
I cried. Cos Maureen is hurting, and underneath we all feel the pain of grief and guilt just as badly. And her quest, even though she'd poo-poo the idea of calling it that, might still bring her some answers, some relief, some peace. You'll have to read it to see.
A brief novel, packs a heartfelt oomph still, with a very recognisable and touching protagonist.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
queenhazy's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely short addition to the Harold Fry story.