Book Review: Maureen - Highly Recommend

In 2014, I read a book I fell head over heels in love with, called The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. It tells the story of an older man who receives a postcard from an old friend, Queenie, explaining that she is in hospice in the uppermost part of England. Harold writes a condolence letter and heads off to the postbox. Yet it seems so inconsequential, just popping a note in the mail in response to her weighty missive. He spontaneously commits to walk to her, an over 600-mile trek, and begs her to wait. Of course, his journey is arduous, but it is the emotional path of the journey that needles its way into the reader's heart. Since I listened to the book in audio form, and have visited many places in England, it felt like I was on the journey alongside Harold. Though I cannot remember all the details of the story, its emotional resonance lingers still.

When Harold's story took the world by storm, a reader approached the author, Rachel Joyce, and told her it was really going to be a triptych (or 3 stories). Sure enough, a year later, I read Queenie's side of the story in the book, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey. While I didn't rave about that book, as I did for Harold's perspective, it was comforting to return to familiar and beloved characters. As soon as I saw my library had Maureen, I knew I wanted to pick up those old threads, even though I've been away for almost a decade.

Maureen's tale is like the other two. Harold's trip helps him process the past. Queenie's wait reconciles her to her fate. So, Maureen goes on a journey to visit Queenie's garden. Unsure what she will find, but knowing Queenie has set up a tribute to her husband and son, Maureen feels compelled to see it for herself.

Maureen isn't like Harold. She doesn't like people. With no desire to walk a lengthy journey, she goes by car, and even then, begrudges many of the moments of intersection with others. Maureen is a caustic and prickly character. But her hurts and sorrows run as deep as anyone else's and the path to healing, like Harold's journey, is healing for the reader, as well. 

I adored this novel. Perhaps not as much as Harold's. He is easy to like; Maureen is not. But, again, Joyce creates such emotional pull that her story will surely touch you. At 132 pages, it is a brisk and meaningful read. Joyce's ability to hone in on the depth and intimacy of a character is a testament to her craft. Each book can stand on its own, but if you're new to this author, I suggest starting with Harold's pilgrimage. Don't miss the sections at the end (the author's interview with her character and a set of book club questions). I may just have to read all three books over again, because the experience is worth a repeat performance.