These are the second and third parts of ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ trilogy, a story that is about to leap into life on a cinema screen near you anytime now. The stars are Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton and I’m looking forward to seeing it at some point.
Harold’s pilgrimage, unlikely, physical and metaphorical make him the undoubted focus of the first book. The narrative runs undeniably through him and the other characters, although important, are firmly in the background.
The author then has the excellent idea to write two more volumes, each concerning one of the other characters. Everybody has a backstory, so here we explore what was going on whilst Harold was walking from one end of the country to the other. Queenie, the friend towards whom he is walking, is waiting, waiting for Harold to arrive (although originally she had no expectation that he would actually come) and sadly, waiting to die. She will not be able to tell him everything she wants to, so page after page of paper is filled with the life of which Harold knew so little. As readers, looking into the story, we are offered a more complete version and we come to know Harold better through Queenie’s account, painful and poignant though it is.
And then there is Maureen, Harold’s wife. The last book in the trilogy belongs to her, a complicated character who we gradually realise is full of anger and grief. She too makes a journey, a pilgrimage, as metaphorical as her husband’s. She is searching for closure and some emotional peace. She needs to find a way to forgive herself and more than that, she longs for redemption.
In many ways these stories are full of sadness but because they are so very well written they carry you along and provide an immensely satisfying read.