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klparmley's review
5.0
This was incredibly sad. I loved the unfolding of Harold's life as he walked. I loved how Harold and Maureen took the time apart to find themselves again. They were so sad for so long and holding each other in that sadness. It took him walking for them to finally let go of it. For a little while, I was afraid they weren't going to be able to do it.
janinevduijn's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
4.0
The heart warming tale of Harold Fry, an endearing elderly gentleman who embarks on an impromptu walk across Britain when he fiends out an old friend is dying. His insights along his travels and the interactions he has with strangers are very wholesome, really enjoyed this!
davidcottington's review against another edition
4.0
To live without her would be like scooping out the vital parts of himself, and he would be no more than a fragile envelope of skin.
Very cute. A little predictable but a wonderful study of grief.
Very cute. A little predictable but a wonderful study of grief.
benjaminj1996's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Oh, man.
When I started this is was convinced it was going to be this twee little book with predictable and patronising morals at the end. It was not. I think Joyce wants to sort of lull you into that expectation to begin with - but it makes the book even better by the time you’ve finished.
There is deliberately little backstory to the events in this book until nearly at the end. I don’t know how it managed to completely catch me off guard but the ending, a mixture of things I was expecting and things I definitely wasn’t, seemed to hit me over the head like an emotional sledgehammer. It was both absolutely brutal and incredibly beautiful. I’m really impressed by the way this novel inverts expectations and has a really subtle emotional depth - until it isn’t subtle any more.
ameulbd's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
maddie_reads_stuff's review
3.0
A retired man sets out on a walk across England to save a old friend dying of cancer.
Much sadder than the whimsical title would suggest...
Much sadder than the whimsical title would suggest...
lucylibrarymouse's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarahthereadingaddict's review
5.0
I listened to this book as Audiobook from my local library via Borrowbox and it's fabulous. I love that Jim Broadbent (who plays Harold Fry in the film adaptation of this book) is the narrator, he has such a distinctive voice and one of my favourite actors.
I absolutely love the internal monologue of Harold, it's really amusing.
When Harold comes across the walkers along the way I couldn't help but chuckle.
This is such a good book, each encounter Harold meets along the way are funny. He is quite a dry character which I think makes the encounters even funnier.
I also feel for Harold, he feels he has to make this pilgrimage because of the past but he may also affect his future if he carries on. Will he still be in full health by the time he reaches his destination.
I was totally gripped and cheering Harold on as he carries on with his long journey.
The reason for Harold making the journey to Queenie had me sobbing. It was a shock and due to the great writing skills I was not expecting it at all.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It made feel allsorts of emotions, it is a mixture serious, hilarious, devastating and wonderful and I loved every minute of it. Totally gripped from start to finish.
I absolutely love the internal monologue of Harold, it's really amusing.
When Harold comes across the walkers along the way I couldn't help but chuckle.
This is such a good book, each encounter Harold meets along the way are funny. He is quite a dry character which I think makes the encounters even funnier.
I also feel for Harold, he feels he has to make this pilgrimage because of the past but he may also affect his future if he carries on. Will he still be in full health by the time he reaches his destination.
I was totally gripped and cheering Harold on as he carries on with his long journey.
The reason for Harold making the journey to Queenie had me sobbing. It was a shock and due to the great writing skills I was not expecting it at all.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It made feel allsorts of emotions, it is a mixture serious, hilarious, devastating and wonderful and I loved every minute of it. Totally gripped from start to finish.