If you live in Devon, get involved with Devon’s Book for Summer, where people are reading and reviewing Rachel Joyce’s debut novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
Chosen for its connection with Devon, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is the unusual and moving story of an elderly man, Harold Fry, who leaves his home in Kingsbridge one morning to post a letter to a dying friend and unexpectedly sets out on a journey hundreds of miles from one end of the country to the other.
A limited number of free copies have been distributed via Devon County Council’s Libraries in Kingsbridge and Ivybridge, including to local reading groups and through giveway displays. A few of these copies have also been put in the community as a local Book Crossing. Stickers inside the free books have encourage readers to pass the book on to friends, family or simply leave on a park bench or bus when they have finished, allowing as many people to take part as possible. Members of Devon libraries can also borrow or reserve copies from any of Devon County Council’s libraries.
The book has been longlisted for the Man Booker prize and is being talked about as a potential winner.
Ivybridge Library have organised a walk taking in sites from the novel and there is the possibility of author Rachel Joyce coming down to Devon during late September to host an event around her brilliant book.
h2. About the book
When Harold Fry leaves home one morning to post a letter, with his wife hoovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other. He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof or mobile phone.
All he knows is that he must keep walking. To save someone else’s life.
About the author
Rachel Joyce is an established writer in radio. She has written over 20 original plays for Radio 4, and dramatised both classic and new novels. She has also recently completed a period drama for BBC television. In 2007 she won the Tinniswood Award for best radio play, and has been long-listed several times for a Sony. She moved to writing after a twenty-year career in theatre, performing leading roles for the RSC, the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Court, and Cheek by Jowl, and winning a Time Out Best Actress award. Rachel lives in Gloucestershire with her husband and four children. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is her first novel.
How to get involved
Join the conversation at here!
Share your views on the book and follow discussions on Twitter: #devonsbookforsummer
Rachel Joyce will be at Ivybridge Library in Devon at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26th September to talk about her book and conclude Devon’s Summer Read promotion of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
To book tickets to see Rachel Joyce at Ivybridge, please call the library on 01752 693140 or find out more at Ivybridge website.
