The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Harold Fry, sixty five, retired from his job for a local brewery, lives off a pension with his wife Maureen. He had an unfortunate childhood, and away from society because of his introverted nature. The relationship with Maureen has cooled off long before.
One day, he receives a letter from Queenie Hennessy who was his colleague of twenty years ago. She says in the letter that she is dying of a cancer and lives in a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Harold writes a letter to her but knows it's not enough to express his heart. He leaves the house to post the letter, but he hesitates to do and goes on to the next post...
He stops a petrol station to get something to eat, and tells a waitress Queenie's story. The girl talks about her aunt who had a cancer but got better with having faith. This conversation inspires Harold, and he decides to walk alone with his letter to the hospice without any travel preparation. It is about one thousand kilometers from Kingsbridge to Berwick-upon-Tweed. He believes his walking gives Queenie zest for living.
In the course of his journey, the scenery of England is depicted beautifully with various flowers and trees, and Harold comes across many people. Before long, his journey is known to news media, made the headlines, and a lot fo people join him. Harold's Journey becomes a huge pilgrim group, and different from his mind. Finally, Harold decides to go alone to Berwick. When Harold arrives at Berwick, no one pays attention to him. He looks just a beggar.
At the ending of this story, we learn about his son David, Maureen's secret, and the truth of Queenie's disappearance twenty years ago. The reunion with Queenie is merciless, but we feel consoled by the calm and quiet ending.
This book is seemingly an improbable and fabular story, but a story of redemption for people who live with a heavy burden.
Dear Hiroshi-sama,
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting us know of this rather new work. It sounds very interesting to me and I shall write down the title as one of the books I may purchase in the future. I like the pilgrimage theme. It reminds us Japanese of 'Ohenrosan' and all those trips to famous temples and shrines. It is particularly close to my heart as I am very interested in medieval pilgrimages in the west and read quite a few books about the topic.
Thank you for leaving your message, Yoshi-san.
DeleteWe often take on a burden in our lives, and are inspired by the word 'pilgrimage.
When I was 25 years old, I made a pilgrimage to 88 temples on Shikoku Island (Ohenro) alone by bicycle with camping gear.
Enjoy this book!
I visited your nice blog. I guess you are the same generation as me. I'll sometimes visit your blog.