Road to Redemption
'Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North' is, according to the author, the last book in the trilogy. Harold Fry had his pilgrimage, the lovelorn Miss Hennessey had her letter, and now Maureen Fry has her own journey to make in the hope that she too can make peace with the past. So, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and in a confusing world of masks and social distancing, Maureen heads to northern England and the now world-famous sea garden Queenie left behind. But Maureen struggles with small talk and social interactions. Will she be able to overcome her fears, embrace the kindness of strangers, and process her terrible loss?
The Final Chapter
For me, 'The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey' was the follow up I didn't realise I needed. Even though I was sceptical beforehand, now I can't imagine 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' without it. I expected a similar revelation after reading 'Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North', but this book is more like an appendix or bonus chapter. It finishes the story for Maureen that concluded for Harold and Queenie a decade earlier, but because it's not a race against time in the same way as the first two novels, it lacks the same tension. It's also much shorter, so there's not so much to get your teeth into. It's still an important piece of the narrative, however, as it finally focuses on David's mother and gives her the chance to process her grief.
Pandemic Blues
There was a point during one of the UK lockdowns when writers, film-makers and other storytellers had to decide whether to include Covid in their art. The 'new normal' of face masks, social distancing and restrictions began to feel like the elephant an the room, something we all hoped would go away, but had to consider talking about just in case it was here to stay. Nobody wants to risk their work becoming dated and irrelevant as soon as it left the imagination.
Right now, it feels very strange reading a story which reflects that peculiar time period. Perhaps the trauma of the experience is too fresh, perhaps it makes the story too real, or perhaps it simply sets this book apart from its predecessors. Hopefully, a re-read in a few years will answer this question.
Overall
'Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North' is a coda to 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' and 'The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey'. While not essential to the central story, it is for the character, giving Maureen the closure she deserves. Like its predecessors, it tackles heavy duty themes with warmth and compassion, as well as a touch of magic. It's a good choice for everyone who fell in love with Harold's world, but new readers should definitely begin at the beginning.
Now, what next..?
'Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North' by Rachel Joyce was published by Transworld, part of Penguin Random House, in October 2022.
Related Posts
'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce - Some thoughts on book one.
'The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey' by Rachel Joyce - David's story from Queenie's perspective.
'A Snow Garden & Other Stories' by Rachel Joyce - Including the story of how Harold and Maureen met.
