Rachel Joyce

"A touching tale about heartbreak and healing . . . If you loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fryand The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, make time to read this finale to the trilogy."--Good Housekeeping Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on a six-hundred-mile walk to save a friend. But the story doesn't end there. Now his wife, Maureen, has her own pilgrimage to make. Only she can finish the journey her husband started. Maureen and Harold Fry have settled into a quiet life, but when an unexpected message from the North disturbs their peaceful equilibrium, Maureen realizes that it's now her turn to make a journey. But she is not like her affable, easygoing husband. By turns outspoken, then vulnerable, she struggles to form bonds with the people she meets--and the landscape she crosses has radically changed. Maureen has no sense of what she will find at the end of the road. All she knows is that she has to get there. A deeply felt, lyrical, and powerful novel, Maureen explores love, loss, and how we come to terms with the past in order to understand ourselves a little better. While this book stands alone, it is also the extraordinarily moving finale to a trilogy that began with the phenomenal bestseller The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and continued in The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy. Like those beloved books, Maureen has all the power and weight of a classic.

The final novel in the Harold Fry trilogy, this is a heart-stopping story told from the view point of his wife Maureen as she takes her own journey and discovers how to reconnect with the world. Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on his epic journey on foot to save a friend. But the story doesn't end there. Now his wife, Maureen, has her own pilgrimage to make. Maureen Fry has settled into the quiet life she now shares with her husband Harold after his iconic walk across England. Now, ten years later, an unexpected message from the North disturbs her equilibrium again, and this time it is Maureen's turn to make her own journey. But Maureen is not like Harold. She struggles to bond with strangers, and the landscape she crosses has changed radically. She has little sense of what she'll find at the end of the road. All she knows is that she must get there. Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North is a deeply felt, lyrical novel, full of warmth and kindness. Short, exquisite, powerful- it is about love, loss, and how we come to terms with the past in order to understand ourselves and our lives a little better.

Funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is the joyous new musical adapted by Rachel Joyce from her multi-million-selling novel, with 'a ravishing score' (The Times) by the chart-topping indie musician, Passenger. Harold Fry was never meant to be a hero. An ordinary man in an ordinary life until a letter from a long-lost friend sends him out the front door… and he keeps on walking. From Devon's quiet lanes to the windswept streets of Berwick-upon-Tweed, his journey becomes a pilgrimage of love, redemption, and second chances. Strangers turn into companions, kindness appears in unexpected places, and the road reveals more than Harold ever imagined. Back home, his wife Maureen begins her own journey, one that might bring them together again. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a moving celebration of the human spirit and a reminder it's never too late to start again. Following a sold-out run at the Chichester Festival Theatre, it transfers to the West End in 2026.

Family is everything, even when it falls apart.Discover the brand-new novel from the multi-million-copy bestselling author.'It made me laugh, it made me cry and I couldn’t put it down. If you are a fan of Maggie O’Farrell you must read this.' - Louise Minchin, TV presenter and author of Isolation Island 'Rachel Joyce is a masterful storyteller.' - Sarah Winman, author of Still Life’The renowned artist - the emotionally starved children - what an inspired subject! Joyce writes with her trademark vitality and compassion and there is such colour here. So much at stake. I couldn’t put it down.’ - Esther Freud, author of Hideous Kinky and Mr Mac and Me'Lyrical, shrewd and, ultimately, as indecently satisfying as a four course Italian lunch. My life is a little emptier now it's over.' - Patrick Gale, author of A Place Called Winter'Sparkling and addictive … Rachel Joyce is so incredibly good and wise on families and siblings. I couldn’t love it more.' - Harriet Evans, author of The Garden of Lost and Found‘A triumph of insight and empathy!’ - Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures'Joyce is a fearless explorer of emotional landscape.' – Sunday Times'If only there were more novelists like Rachel Joyce' – TelegraphThere is a heatwave across Europe.Goose and his three sisters gather at the family's house by Lake Orta in Piedmont, Italy. Their father, a famous artist, has recently remarried a much younger woman and decamped to Italy to finish his masterpiece. Now he is dead and there is no sign of a painting.Although the siblings have always been close, as they search for answers over that summer, the things they learn - about themselves, their father and their new stepmother - will drive them apart before they can come to any kind of understanding of what their father's legacy truly is.Extraordinarily compelling, at heart this is a novel about sibling relationships and those hairline cracks that can appear within a family: what what happens when they splinter, and what it would take to mend them.

With sparkling wit and insight, this powerful novel from the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry reminds us that family is everything, even when it falls apart. "It's all here, dear readers. Art. Beauty. Pain. Redemption. A father who put his painting first, his romantic needs second, and his children wherever he could spackle them into the picture with a putty knife. There is scope and sweep, as the children attempt to sort it all out in the Italian heat by Lake Orta. Rachel Joyce's masterful skill and emotional breadth are dazzling."--Adriana Trigiani, author of The Good Left Undone They had to stick together, his sisters said. They were family. They shared the same beginning. They were woven into the same story. But his sisters had no idea what was coming, or what Bella-Mae might do next. There is a heatwave across Europe, and four siblings have gathered at their family's lake house to seek answers about their father, a famous artist, who recently remarried a much younger woman and decamped to Italy to finish his long-awaited masterpiece. Now he is dead. And there is no sign of his final painting. As the siblings try to piece together what happened, they spend the summer in a state of lawlessness: living under the same roof for the first time in decades, forced to confront the buried wounds they incurred as his children, and waiting for answers. Though they have always been close, the things they learn that summer--about themselves--and their father--will drive them apart before they can truly understand his legacy. Meanwhile, their stepmother's enigmatic presence looms over the house. Is she the force that will finally destroy the family for good? Wonderfully atmospheric, at heart this is a novel about the bonds of siblinghood--what happens when they splinter, and what it might take to reconnect them.

Family is everything, even when it falls apart.Discover the brand-new novel from the multi-million-copy bestselling author.AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER!‘The perfect holiday read ...There’s a new heft and grandeur, not only in the sophisticated characters and the fancy Italian real estate, but in the hidden darkness that can exist in a family ... Rachel Joyce is firing on all cylinders.’ THE TIMES'A masterly and deeply satisfying exploration of art, grief and familial bonds.' OBSERVER'Warm and emotionally astute.' MAIL ON SUNDAY'A sharp, absorbing and emotionally intelligent novel.' GUARDIAN‘A beautifully written family drama ... Long after I finished the last page, I found I missed these characters – always the sign of a special book’ - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'A thoroughly engaging examination of familial truths that define and endanger the precious, ever-precarious sibling bond. The beautiful writing, unforgettable characters, and stunning setting make this a must-read.' - Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in ChemistryThere is a heatwave across Europe.Goose and his three sisters gather at the family's house by Lake Orta in Piedmont, Italy. Their father, a famous artist, has recently remarried a much younger woman and decamped to Italy to finish his masterpiece. Now he is dead and there is no sign of a painting.Although the siblings have always been close, as they search for answers over that summer, the things they learn - about themselves, their father and their new stepmother - will drive them apart before they can come to any kind of understanding of what their father's legacy truly is.Extraordinarily compelling, at heart this is a novel about sibling relationships and those hairline cracks that can appear within a family: what what happens when they splinter, and what it would take to mend them.'It made me laugh, it made me cry and I couldn’t put it down. If you are a fan of Maggie O’Farrell you must read this.' - Louise Minchin, TV presenter and author of Isolation Island’The renowned artist - the emotionally starved children - what an inspired subject! Joyce writes with her trademark vitality and compassion and there is such colour here. So much at stake. I couldn’t put it down.’ - Esther Freud, author of Hideous Kinky and Mr Mac and Me'Lyrical, shrewd and, ultimately, as indecently satisfying as a four course Italian lunch. My life is a little emptier now it's over.' - Patrick Gale, author of A Place Called Winter'Sparkling and addictive … Rachel Joyce is so incredibly good and wise on families and siblings. I couldn’t love it more.' - Harriet Evans, author of The Garden of Lost and Found‘A triumph of insight and empathy!’ - Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures'Joyce is a fearless explorer of emotional landscape.' – Sunday Times'If only there were more novelists like Rachel Joyce' – Telegraph

Discover the brand-new novel from the multi-million-copy bestselling author: a tense family drama set in the Italian lakes perfect for fans of Ann Patchett and Maggie O'Farrell.'Rachel Joyce is a masterful storyteller.' - Sarah Winman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Still Life'Joyce is a fearless explorer of emotional landscape.' - Sunday Times''If only there were more novelists like Rachel Joyce' - TelegraphThere is a heatwave across Europe.Goose and his three sisters gather at the family's house by Lake Orta in Piedmont, Italy. Their father, a famous artist, has recently remarried a much younger woman and decamped to Italy to finish his masterpiece. Now he is dead. And when they arrive there is no sign of his new wife or his final painting.Alhough the siblings have always been close, the things they learn that summer - about themselves, their father and their new stepmother - will drive them apart before they can come to any kind of understanding of what their father's legacy truly is.Wonderfully atmospheric and suspenseful, this is at heart a novel about family, about sibling relationships: what holds a family together and what might fracture it forever.

I 1972 blev der lagt to sekunder til tiden for at skabe balance mellem faktisk tid og jordens bevægelse, men hvad har det af konsekvenser for vores liv? Byron Hemming er et følsomt, fantasifuldt barn, som bliver oprigtigt bekymret, da hans bedste ven fortæller ham, at der skal lægges to sekunder oveni tiden, og det er med god grund, for da Byrons mor er ved at komme for sent til at aflevere børnene i skole, træffer hun et skæbnesvangert valg, som får katastrofale konsekvenser for Byron. Hans perfekte liv er ødelagt. Var det de to ekstra sekunders skyld? Parallelt med Byrons historie hører vi om Jim, som har OCD, bor i sin bil og er afrydder i cafeen i det lokale supermarked. Sådan har han levet siden lukningen af det psykiatriske opholdsted, han ellers boede på, men hans liv er ved at ændre sig til det bedre, for han har mødt en kvinde, som ser ud til at forstå og holde af ham. De to skæbner fortælles langsomt ind i hinanden, og bogen handler om at være alt andet end perfekt. Rachel Joyce beskriver sine personer med alle deres fejl og mangler med stor ømhed og empati.Rachel Joyce (f. 1962) er en engelsk forfatter, der blandt andet har skrevet hørespil til radioen. Hun slog for alvor igennem som forfatter, da hun udgav sin debutroman ”Harold Frys usandsynlige pilgrimsfærd” i 2012. Romanen blev oversat til en lang række forskellige sprog og skaffede hende en National Book Award for årets debutroman.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.Harold Fry lives a quiet, ordinary life in England. But when he gets a phone call and learns that his old friend Queenie Hennessey is dying, he decides to post her a letter to her home 500 miles away. As he walks to the post box, Harold begins to think about his past and his family. He decides on walking until he reaches Queenie.Visit the Penguin Readers websiteExclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

*Companion edition to the major film written by Rachel Joyce, award-winning author of the internationally bestselling book, directed by Hettie Macdonald (Normal People) and starring Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton*Contains exclusive new behind-the-scenes insights and colour photographsHarold is an ordinary man who has passed through life, living on the side lines, until he goes to post a letter one day...and just keeps walking.This edition includes stills from the film; also exclusive material about adapting novel to book by Rachel Joyce; Rachel Joyce in conversation with the producers; and insights from the producer about the challenges of making the movie.'The odyssey of a simple man, original, subtle and touching.' Claire Tomalin'From the moment I met Harold Fry, I didn't want to leave him. Impossible to put down.' Erica Wagner, The Times

WOMAN & HOME BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR and A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'The perfect escape novel for our troubled times.' PATRICK GALEIt is 1950. In a devastating moment of clarity, Margery Benson abandons her dead-end job and advertises for an assistant to accompany her on an expedition. She is going to travel to the other side of the world to search for a beetle that may or may not exist. Enid Pretty, in her unlikely pink travel suit, is not the companion Margery had in mind. And yet together they will be drawn into an adventure that will exceed every expectation. They will risk everything, break all the rules, and at the top of a red mountain, discover their best selves. This is a story that is less about what can be found than the belief it might be found; it is an intoxicating adventure story but it is also about what it means to be a woman and a tender exploration of a friendship that defies all boundaries. 'A girl's own adventure...This is Rachel Joyce's best book yet ...Exciting, moving and full of unexpected turns.' THE TIMES 'Brilliant and elegant and wise...powerful and moving...I can't recommend it enough.' JOANNA CANNON 'A beautiful portrayal of female friendship in all its frailties, contradictions and strengths.' RAYNOR WINNWOMAN & HOME BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2020; DAILY MAIL BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2020; BOOKMARK BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020; GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2020

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - "A beautifully written, extraordinary quest in which two ordinary, overlooked women embark on an unlikely scientific expedition to the South Seas."--Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand WINNER OF THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE - From the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry comes an uplifting, irresistible novel about two women on a life-changing adventure, where they must risk everything, break all the rules, and discover their best selves--together. She's going too far to go it alone. It is 1950. London is still reeling from World War II, and Margery Benson, a schoolteacher and spinster, is trying to get through life, surviving on scraps. One day, she reaches her breaking point, abandoning her job and small existence to set out on an expedition to the other side of the world in search of her childhood obsession: an insect that may or may not exist--the golden beetle of New Caledonia. When she advertises for an assistant to accompany her, the woman she ends up with is the last person she had in mind. Fun-loving Enid Pretty in her tight-fitting pink suit and pom-pom sandals seems to attract trouble wherever she goes. But together these two British women find themselves drawn into a cross-ocean adventure that exceeds all expectations and delivers something neither of them expected to find: the transformative power of friendship. Praise for Miss Benson's Beetle "A hilarious jaunt into the wilderness of women's friendship and the triumph of outrageous dreams."--Kirkus Reviews

Året är 1988, Thatcher och punken regerar England. På Unity Street i en liten engelsk industristad ligger Franks skivbutik. Frank säljer i princip all sorts musik, bara den är pressad i vinyl. En dag när han spelat Vivaldis De fyra årstiderna för en kund kliver en ung kvinna i ärtgrön kappa in i butiken. Men hon vänder genast på klacken och försvinner ut genom dörren, bara för att svimma på tröskeln. Vem är denna mystiska unga dam?Det visar sig att hon heter Ilse Brauchmann och efter några veckor är hon tillbaka för att suga i sig Franks encyklopediska musikkunskaper. Deras diskussioner på ett närbeläget kafé blir allt mer djuplodande och inom kort står det klart att de är förälskade i varandra. Men Frank drar sig undan, rädd för kärleken som han är efter en ungdomsförälskelse med katastrofal utgång. Ilse blir sårad och försvinner spårlöst. Frågan är om Frank förmår uppbåda allt det mod han saknar för att hitta sin Ilse. Kan musiken föra dem samman som den en gång gjorde? Det ser för mörkt ut för Frank och hans vinylbutik, nu när cd-skivan gjort entré på skivmarknaden och butik efter butik slår igen på Unity Street.