Maureen is the third volume in Joyce’s Harold Fry trilogy. This novel is set 10 years after Harold’s pilgrimage. This time, Maureen makes a pilgrimage to see Queenie’s garden. She has never come to terms with the death of their son, David, 30 years ago. With this pilgrimage, she finally finds peace.

Loved this sequel in the Arthur Fry series…getting to know his wife and her grief and her own pilgrimage. Excellent story.

It's been quite some time since I’ve read any of Rachel Joyce's books. This certainly was the case for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Having read both The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, it was only fitting that I read Maureen as a way to say goodbye to these characters. Though it's a pity that Maureen doesn't hold up well when compared to Harold's or Queenie's book, as I had been looking forward to getting finally Maureen's side of the story since she is Harold's wife. Unfortunately, I forgot how difficult Maureen was, and while she was intended to be written that way, I was unable to connect with her character. It's not for the lack of trying; after all. Maureen wasn't exactly born a grouch who was wary of strangers to the point of utter disdain for everyone and everything. However, when all a character does is complain, it gets old fast. It's only through a series of imagined emails exchanged between the authour and "Maureen" located at the back of the book, that I was finally able to appreciate the character of Maureen. Be that as it may, I am glad I picked up Maureen as it nicely ties together all three books. Though if I were to provide a gentle suggestion, I would urge you to read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Love Song of Miss Queen Hennessy, and Maureen back to back and in that order to fully appreciate the characters and narrative that Rachel Joyce has created.

We met Harold Fry years ago in "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" as he journeyed across England to his dying friend Queenie. This is the story of Harold's wife Maureen ten years later, still trying to come to grips with the death of their son David. We are reacquainted with Harold's friend Kate as she helps Maureen complete her journey. More novella than novel the story of Maureen will take you on a slightly painful journey of self-discovery that so many of us travel
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