The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry comes an exquisite love story about Queenie Hennessy, the remarkable friend who inspired Harold’s cross-country journey.
“This lovely book is full of joy. Much more than the story of a woman’s enduring love for an ordinary, flawed man, it’s an ode to messy, imperfect, glorious, unsung humanity.”—The Washington Post
A runaway international bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry followed its unassuming hero on an incredible journey as he traveled the length of England on foot—a journey spurred by a simple letter from his old friend Queenie Hennessy, writing from a hospice to say goodbye. Harold believed that as long as he kept walking, Queenie would live. What he didn’t know was that his decision to walk had caused her both alarm and fear. How could she wait? What would she say? Forced to confront the past, Queenie realizes she must write again.
In this poignant parallel story to Harold’s saga, acclaimed author Rachel Joyce brings Queenie Hennessy’s voice into sharp focus. Setting pen to paper, Queenie makes a journey of her own, a journey that is even bigger than Harold’s; one word after another, she promises to confess long-buried truths—about her modest childhood, her studies at Oxford, the heartbreak that brought her to Kingsbridge and to loving Harold, her friendship with his son, the solace she has found in a garden by the sea. And, finally, the devastating secret she has kept from Harold for all these years.
A wise, tender, layered novel that gathers tremendous emotional force, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy underscores the resilience of the human spirit, beautifully illuminating the small yet pivotal moments that can change a person’s life.
“This lovely book is full of joy. Much more than the story of a woman’s enduring love for an ordinary, flawed man, it’s an ode to messy, imperfect, glorious, unsung humanity.”—The Washington Post
A runaway international bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry followed its unassuming hero on an incredible journey as he traveled the length of England on foot—a journey spurred by a simple letter from his old friend Queenie Hennessy, writing from a hospice to say goodbye. Harold believed that as long as he kept walking, Queenie would live. What he didn’t know was that his decision to walk had caused her both alarm and fear. How could she wait? What would she say? Forced to confront the past, Queenie realizes she must write again.
In this poignant parallel story to Harold’s saga, acclaimed author Rachel Joyce brings Queenie Hennessy’s voice into sharp focus. Setting pen to paper, Queenie makes a journey of her own, a journey that is even bigger than Harold’s; one word after another, she promises to confess long-buried truths—about her modest childhood, her studies at Oxford, the heartbreak that brought her to Kingsbridge and to loving Harold, her friendship with his son, the solace she has found in a garden by the sea. And, finally, the devastating secret she has kept from Harold for all these years.
A wise, tender, layered novel that gathers tremendous emotional force, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy underscores the resilience of the human spirit, beautifully illuminating the small yet pivotal moments that can change a person’s life.
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Community Reviews
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The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennesy by Rachel Joyce
366 pages
What’s it about?
This is the story of Queenie Hennessy. Queenie is waiting in a hospice for her long lost friend Harold Fry. Harold is walking the length of England on a Pilgrimmage to see Queenie. This is the companion book to "The Unlikely Pilgrammage of Harold Fry". I now know that the two books were written at the same time, but were released consecutively. I loved "The Unlikely Pilgrammage of Harold Fry" so much that I put off reading this book, fearing it would be a disappointment. I should of had more faith in Rachel Joyce!
What did it make me think about?
This is a kind, sweet book that again points out the beauty in the ordinary things in life.
Should I read it?
This book is a gift to those of us that loved Harold Fry. It does not disappoint!
Quote-
"Because if you picture other people like you, you will no longer be alone. And when you share, you see that your own sorrow is not so big or special. You are only another person feeling sad, and soon it will pass and you will be another person, feeling happy. It takes the sting out of life, I find, when you realize you are not alone".
If you liked this try-
The Unlikely Pilgrammage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrey by Gabrielle Zevin
A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennesy by Rachel Joyce
366 pages
What’s it about?
This is the story of Queenie Hennessy. Queenie is waiting in a hospice for her long lost friend Harold Fry. Harold is walking the length of England on a Pilgrimmage to see Queenie. This is the companion book to "The Unlikely Pilgrammage of Harold Fry". I now know that the two books were written at the same time, but were released consecutively. I loved "The Unlikely Pilgrammage of Harold Fry" so much that I put off reading this book, fearing it would be a disappointment. I should of had more faith in Rachel Joyce!
What did it make me think about?
This is a kind, sweet book that again points out the beauty in the ordinary things in life.
Should I read it?
This book is a gift to those of us that loved Harold Fry. It does not disappoint!
Quote-
"Because if you picture other people like you, you will no longer be alone. And when you share, you see that your own sorrow is not so big or special. You are only another person feeling sad, and soon it will pass and you will be another person, feeling happy. It takes the sting out of life, I find, when you realize you are not alone".
If you liked this try-
The Unlikely Pilgrammage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrey by Gabrielle Zevin
A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
I loved this book. You know how a book just is so much better because you read it at just the right time in your life. That is how The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Henderson were for me. I'm glad I was able to read/listen to it soon after reading about Harold Fry. It was so interesting to hear about Harold's journey and Queenie's journey from their point of view. I loved all the life lessons and love lessons.
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