Nine stars
Returning to the work of Rachel Joyce, I chose the companion to her well-written The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. In this piece, Joyce provides the reader with the other side of the story, in which Queenie Hennessy tells her tale of meeting and connecting with Harold, while sharing some secrets she has never revealed over the years.
Having penned a note to Harold Fry from her hospice, Queenie Hennessy hopes that the news of her cancer and likely terminal diagnosis will be met with some understanding. It has been two decades since Queenie has seen Harold, but she feels that the news must be passed along. Soon thereafter, Queenie decides to write a second, much more thorough, letter to Harold, which will likely explain a great deal that she has been holding back.
As Queenie begins her writing, she provides much of the backstory relating to how she came to work at the brewery alongside Harold those many years ago. The reader is able to obtain a more thorough understanding of the chance encounter—albeit not entirely agreed upon by Queenie and Harold—as well as some of the blossoming sentiments Queenie developed but never shared. As the narrative continues, Queenie’s connection to Harold grows stronger, at times during their workplace interactions, but also when David Fry, Harold’s son, inadvertently meets her around town. The Queenie-David friendship adds a deeper connection to Harold, though Queenie never shares this with the object of her affection.
As news of Harold’s pilgrimage to see Queenie becomes known, talk of this cross-country adventure has the hospice abuzz. Between her entries to Harold, Queenie interacts with others and shares some heartfelt moments with a few residents. However, much like the unrequited love she has for Harold, the death of others around her leaves Queenie in a state of sorrow. She knows that Harold is coming, though her own life hangs in the balance. She wants a clean slate before she passes, but debates how much she wants Harold to know while she is still of this earth.
With a great deal of dramatic build-up in all areas of the narrative, Rachel Joyce does a masterful job at keeping the reader curious about how things will come together, or fall apart, as Harold Fry’s pilgrimage reaches its climactic conclusion. Fans of the first novel know what’s to come, though only through the eyes of a tired Harold. This is Queenie’s story, and what a tale it is. Highly recommended to those who enjoyed the first novel, as well as the reader who finds joy in something that plucks the heart strings.
It was a strong recommendation by a dear friend that had me attempt this emotional duology. I was quite taken with the first novel, though left that reading with many questions. Rachel Joyce appears to have read my mind as she penned this second one, filling in all the gaps while keeping the reader entertained throughout.
The reader only really got a glimpse of Queenie in the first novel, as Harold was somewhat clueless about her true intentions. However, the focus on Madam Hennessy in this piece is both refreshing and essential to put all the pieces together. Queenie is quite a complex woman, full of white lies and causal deceit, though never a malicious being. Her ability to love is apparent throughout, as her compassion creates a tether to Harold, though never blurring the workplace-personal lines. Queenie’s admissions in her letter to Harold are highly important to the larger narrative, though it is only one part of many that will impact the reader.
The cast of secondary characters helps to develop the deeper meaning of this book. From the Harold Fry that was missing in the first novel to the handful of hospice residents with their own stories and who help Queenie prepare for the arrival of the wandering pilgrim. Perhaps the most interesting secondary character is David Fry, a young man who has so much potential, though is lost to many. Queenie breathes much life into him and their connection is almost able to overtake that of Queenie and Harold. Readers who are familiar with the first novel will want to pay close attention to this subplot, as it is highly important and offers a quasi surrogate parent/child interaction.
Rachel Joyce has a special writing gift in this duology, using a vignette style that offers readers bite-sized chapters to better understand the narrative progress. The story is itself a pilgrimage of emotional growth and death, in a form. Joyce has a style that is easy to understand, yet also dripping with sentiment, which becomes apparent for those who read both novels. I had not expected to be as moved by this duology as I was, though I cannot thank my friend enough for her recommendation. It speak volumes to me that few other readers could understand. Perhaps I am a Queenie Hennessy all my own in this regard.
Kudos, Madam Joyce, for another great piece. I hope others take as much away from this piece as I did. I’ll be sure to look for more of your work soon.
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
Book Reviews to Ponder 