Memories and flashbacks are used in a way that adds colour and texture to the narrative while Harold bravely continues with his actual journey, the metaphorical journey through his thoughts and feelings about life unravel as the narrative moves along. While Harold’s journey initially starts with him walking to the end of the road to post his short reply to Queenie, he soon ends up wanting to walk the whole distance, six hundred miles or so, to where Queenie is staying in hospital – with no map or mobile to help him. This debut novel tackles heart-wrenching and difficult topics such as death, loss and suffering – which lead the reader to connect deeply with Harold as we root for him on his journey. This emotional, touching novel is beautifully written and concerns the protagonist Harold Fry, on his quest to post a letter to his old friend, Queenie Hennessy, who we learn is terminally ill with cancer. Rachel Joyce’s first novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, has led the author to winning Writer of the Year at the 2012 National Book Awards – and deservedly so.
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