Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North: From the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry, 3)

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In the first, Harold Fry had set out to post a letter to his former co-worker, and friend Queenie, who has written to him to say “goodbye” after finding out that her illness is terminal. But, somehow, he gets it in his head that Queenie will stay alive, until she gets his reply, so he decides to hand deliver the note instead. He walks 627 miles to her bedside, becoming a bit of a local celebrity along the way. (4⭐️)

The book is the story of Maureen's journey there and how it affects her. When Maureen sees the memorial that Queenie had fashioned for David, she is overcome (at first, with anger). Here are her thoughts: It was difficult to read in places, but I liked the growth Maureen experienced in the novel. Unlike her husband Harold who made friends along the way in his journey, Maureen finds it difficult to be kind to people and bristles at interactions with others. Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on his epic journey on foot to save a friend. But the story doesn't end there. Now his wife, Maureen, has her own pilgrimage to make. But she’s trying to learn to be kind, make a nice comment even when unnecessary. She has seen herself (as well as her mother) and vows to do better. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book prize and longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Rachel was awarded the Specsavers National Book Awards ‘New Writer of the Year’ in December 2012 and shortlisted for the ‘UK Author of the Year’ 2014.Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on his epic journey on foot to save a friend. But the story doesn’t end there. It’s going to be a long trip. It’s ten years since Harold make his long trek to visit Queenie Hennessy, and since then, Maureen has been haunted by something she knew about Queenie that she has never disclosed to Harold. This story continues the story of Harold Fry, with the main character in this his wife Maureen. It is through Maureen we learn more of her story, but also more of their story. Their loss, the grief that follows, as well as a realization that, perhaps it is time that she faces her grief, and so Maureen is the one who takes a journey - although not on foot as Harold had done. At least he was happy, at least he was safe. And his health, too. At least he had that. It wasn’t that he was losing his mind, rather that he was deliberately taking things out of it that he no longer needed.”

Rachel Joyce is deeply attuned to the complex rhythms of life and love and she sublimates this understanding, sentence by delicate, powerful, glistening sentence into an unforgettable story. It’s beautiful all through, but the closing chapters are just astonishing, transcendent and hope-filled and life-affirming. I’ll never forget this wonderful novel or the sunny, slightly teary day I spent reading it.’ Donal Ryan Maureen is no tiptoe through the tulips, waving at butterflies type of woman. There has been too much hurt and embarrassment from her childhood belief that she was the center of the world and that she would be the one to conquer it every step of the way. As early as her first days in school she learned she wasn't all that after all and it was downhill from there. Once Harold and Maureen had their only son, she wanted to be the best parent to him but things did not work out at all. I think the term "difficult child" applied to both Maureen and David and that difficulty can lead to the term "difficult adult". This book was beautifully written, as are all the books in this series. I think it would be most helpful to read the other two books in the series before reading this one, as the context is important to the story. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about Maureen, but I think the author did a good job of rounding out the three stories while still leaving some things to our imagination. Profoundly moving and deeply human, this story of self-discovery and forgiveness is essential reading. I loved every word. Bonnie GarmusMaureen Fry is wonderfully complex, flinty and closed and obsessive yet full of love and concern for others as she navigates her present and her past, carrying her terrible burdens of grief and guilt. Hers is a very different quest from Harold’s, and her private nature makes it hard for her to ask for or accept help. Having a car means she can retreat, be on her way, take her leave without needing anyone. Now it's ten years later, and time to hear from Maureen, Harold's wife. She's about to take a journey of her own and, in the mix, gives her perspective of all that's happened before and after Harold's journey to visit Queenie. Maureen was not an easy person. She knew this. She was not an easy person to like and she wasn’t good at making friends. She had once joined a book club but she objected to the things they read, and gave up. There was always someone between her and everyone else and that was her son. This year he would have turned fifty.” Fry fans will delight in this tale of a redemptive journey and the kindness of strangers. A new Joyce. Rejoice anew! Saga magazine