Maureen Fry and The Angel of the North

-



Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North - Rachel Joyce- Literary fiction

After Harold returned from his travels ten years ago,  (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) his wife Maureen had a hankering to go and see Queenie's garden as Queenie told her that she had put a memorial to Maureen and Harold's son David in it before she died. David died many years beforehand, something Maureen has never got over and feels his loss every day.  She sets off with her flask and sandwiches in the car for a drive of several hundred miles- something she is not used to. On the way she gets lost and encounters various people. Unlike Harold, Maureen is not a people person and struggles to interact as she would really wish. This is the story of her journey in more ways than one.

I loved Harold’s story and this one quickly enveloped me. It's a short story (144 pages) but quickly gets the reader engaged- to me the true skill of an author. We learn about Maureen and even perhaps ourselves as we take the journey with her. “It struck Maureen that a person could be trapped in a version of themselves that was from another time and completely miss the happiness that was right in front of them” . Wow! Sentences like that made me stop in my tracks and think of my own journey through life. This is more than a book or a story. It’s a handbook of life, one to carry and refer to and reflect on a while. An uplifting inspiring read and one that will stay with me. 

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

--------------------------------------------------

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
Andorra Pett and the Oort Cloud- Cafe- Richard Dee-  4* Andi has landed on a mining station a week away from Mars. She takes on the “ucky strike cafe” (the “L” fell off) - its previous owner having disappeared leaving outstanding debts. Her business partner Cy is right behind her. Much to her surprise they find the previous guy in the freezer - in a body bag. Being on a different planet means there are rules about refuse and hence they decide to leave him there having little choice in the matter. Andi wants to find out more about a secret book that he had and who murdered him. This is a wonderful, lighthearted read to make you smile. Characters that are well portrayed and you take to easily. Descriptions are vivid and you can easily picture “the planet” in your minds eye. An excellent plot line with a little humour and even romance along the way. A highly enjoyable read. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or fol
Read more

More Life as a Dog by L.A Davenport

-
Image
  More Life as a Dog by LA Davenport- memoirs/humour This is the second in the series (both happily stand alone) about Kevin the dachshund, the “meat seeking missile” and his adventures with his human. Human has a new girlfriend and it’s a nervous time when Kevin is taken to be introduced to her dog. Will he behave or let them both down? This is written in the first person from the humans point of view and tells of outings they have such as a trip back to London after a day out,  but turned into an adventure due to running out of petrol. From meeting Amy Winehouse to poor Kevin being kicked there are the highs and lows of their lives. This is a fun,  light hearted read especially for any dog lover.  Although told from the human perspective, it's told with Kevin at the heart of things. It's heart-warming, it's very touching and also that for some of us, we have overcome much due to having that canine companion at our side. A short, beautiful read. One for over a coffee or t
Read more

Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson

-
Image
  Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson-mystery thriller Oh wow! A book I wanted to devour in one helping but didn't want it to end. Holmes, Marple and Poe are PI’s and have just started their own agency together. Each one has particular talents although all are highly attuned to finding out the whys and wherefores to solve a crime. Holmes for example is hyperosmic and can detect scents amongst the normal ones the rest of us can. Are they their real names? Of that we are not sure but what we can be certain of is that they are good at their job, very good and the police department calls them in when things are starting to get beyond them or where they would rather not be involved. Each one has their own secrets from their lives before they got together. Can they solve the crimes and stay under the radar? This is my first James Patterson book. I know , I know, I must have been hiding under a rock. Brilliant and page turning doesn't do this justice. It looks like I have rather
Read more