[Updated May 2015 to share that I did a reread of this on Audio and loved it just as much.]
Thoughts 
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, HB from library Random House 2012, 320 pages
What’s it ABOUT: A retired gentleman with a wife who barely talks to him receives a letter from a dying friend. Attempting to post a response, he decides that a personal visit would be better. He just starts walking the 500 or so miles.
I thought this charming and delightful and so very moving. I was laughing and crying and just thought the whole story wonderfully told. It was the perfect book for me to read at the time I read it.
WHY I read this: Selected for a book club that I will be ‘trying out’ this week. I suspect we will talk about marriage, life expectations, effects of childhood issues on how to respond as adults, death, friendships, work relationships, bad bosses, nosy neighbors, the question: are people basically good?, trust, etc.
RATING: Five slices of pie.
Just click on the book cover above to find out more.
Miscellaneous Britisms: plasters = band aids; Turkish Delight is pink??? I always think of some kind of gooey caramel-ly concoction.
Care's Books and Pie 
I really need to read this already. Heather loved it, too!
yep.
Loved this book so much!
I had this down as a tbr but I think I was surprised by how much I really liked it.
I really loved this one. The sequel comes out soon. I am worried it will botch it up in my head.
I think it will be good! I forgot to mention that it is now available and that I want to read it.
One of my best friends from my mystery group gave this one at a recommend during our December meeting. We always tell about the books we’ve loved that were not book club books. She highly recommended it and I’ve been thinking of listening to it. It sounds like one I will love.
It was just perfect. Not too light, but yet with depth that was presented with just the right oomph.
This one’s on my to-read list. I had Turkish Delight once from a Middle Eastern bakery and it was so lovely – unexpectedly rose flavoured! I’d always wondered about the taste since I was a kid reading Narnia.
I am going to seek for this. Wish I had been more diligent abt these kind of the ngs when I went to London.
I have this in print and really do need to get to it.
I do think this is something you will like. I am surprised it is not in works for a movie. Or should I be pleased….
I really enjoyed this one, too.
I really am happy with my experience with it.
When this came out I was drawn to the cover… Still haven’t actually picked up the book, though!
I had tbr’d it but wasn’t sure…. So glad I did!
Yay! I love when friends love the same books I love. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Well, so did this book, so that’s a win-win for us all! I have a galley of the sequel. I am anxious to read it and worried that it will ruin the story for me. Are you going to read it?
Oh yes! I am looking forward to it. I think it is more a parallel story rather than a sequel. I’m most interested in Queenie’s side of the story!
I loved this one, too.Hope the book club works out.
Well, I got a lovely invitation note from one of the members so I’m eager to see how it goes.
I loved this book so much! But now I’ve forgotten how it ended, whether he actually met the friend. Oh bummer.
Ha! I’m like that, too! I never remember how things end but only how the story made me feel.
Does the book seem to think people are generally good? I incline to think they are, but I recognize this is the rose-colored-glasses optimist in me.
Yes, the book has some tender scenes and situations that reinforce and hope for the good in humanity.
I need to get to this one. I just downloaded it this morning on audible.
Just back from book club – there were 24 ladies there!! Great discussion – most liked the book but many liked it more after everyone shared insights. LOTS to talk about.
I liked this one, too! I realized how few novels exist out there about elderly people. I am looking forward to the companion novel as well.
I was going to download but I might wait till the price goes down or I find a copy. Library doesn’t have it yet – might wait for that, too.
Thanks for shouting out about the Kindle sale! Got it thanks to you. And now I’ll look forward to 5 slices of pie.
You are welcome.
Really liked this one, especially the ending. I think I’d feel cheated by a saccharine scene…
I was happy with the ending. And I might actually remembers this one. I often forget how books end!