January 11, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Book Review
An ordinary man’s extraordinary journey
CYNTHIA GREGORY
FOR
THE
BOOKS
Have you ever felt that the big events in our lives are sometimes the result of one small decision that, once made, shifts every event following it toward a slightly new trajectory? Yeah, Rachel Joyce’s debut novel, “The Unlike-
ly Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” is like that. The morning that quietly retired Harold Fry begins his walk across England starts much as any other day in substance and form, except one thing. Harold receives a letter from Queenie Hennessy, from a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Queenie is dying of cancer, and she has written Harold to say goodbye. Though he hasn’t seen or talked to Queenie in many years, Harold is staggered by the news and begins a series of steps that take him on a journey both across England and to the center of his heart. Harold doesn’t mean to hoof it across the country. What he
means to do was to mail a letter to Queenie, thanking her for her friendship all those years ago. Queenie’s friendship, as it turns out, is the most authentic relationship that Harold has had in decades. Maureen Fry, Harold’s wife, is as emotionally distant as the moon, and Harold cannot express to her the depth of his shock of the news about Queenie. In fact, when Harold mentions Queenie, Maureen blandly responds that she can’t be expected to remember everyone from his work, and could Harold please pass the jam?
Marietta Leffner finishes her chapter with Clayton Library LOUISE WALL Special to the Pioneer
After 24 years with the Contra Costa County Library system, longtime Clayton Community Library staffer Marietta Leffner is retiring. She began as a library assistant for the Mobile Library, and worked at the Walnut Creek , El Cerrito and Pinole libraries before joining the staff in Clayton in 1995. The youngest in a family of seven children, Leffner grew up in the Philippine Islands, and obtained her Master’s Degree in
are now college graduates. “She is our Martha Stewart of the library,” says Marnie Malcolm , a library volunteer and Library Foundation officer, of Leffner. “Whenever there is a party or event, it is Marietta who helps organize it. She brings delicious dishes and baked goods to potlucks, and often provides snacks for the workers who set up the book sales.” Leffner is also known to take care of the potted plants scattered throughout the library, and often brings cut flower arrangements for the circulation desk.
Photo by Marnie Malcolm
MARIETTA LEFFNER
Library Science there. After graduating, she travelled to the United States “for a year.” She lived in Los Angeles for a time, but then moved to Chicago where she had friends. While working there, she met her future husband, Ray. They married, and moved to Pleasant Hill and Concord where they raised two daughters, both of whom
Still, it is her work with books – and those who to read them – that makes Leffner stand out. Her Picture Book Times and craft sessions for children are enthusiastically attended. “She is a caring teacher who always makes the times special with projects, seasonal displays or even finger puppets,” says Ted Holmsen, a library volunteer.
“The sounds of laughter or singing can be heard coming from the room. You can tell that she enjoys the time also.” Leffner’s co-workers are eager to sing her praises. “Marietta has an ability to connect with people of all ages,” says Diana Bauer, Library Foundation secretary. “She has a gift for hospitality, and yet she has a manner of quiet humility.” Joyce Atkinson and Jeanne Boyd, president and vice president of the Library Foundation , agree that Marietta makes patrons and volunteers feel welcome. She donates extra hours and materials to make the projects successful. Library volunteer Joan Chesterman remembers Marietta from the old Bookmobile that brought the library to the neighborhoods. “Marietta is a person who takes on whatever is asked of her. She puts 110 percent into anything she does. Every time I leave after my shift, she always thanks me for my help. It really makes a volunteer feel that his/her time is valuable to others. I will miss her cheerful smile.” Karen Hansen-Smith, Senior Clayton Community Library Manager, perhaps sums up Leffner’s contributions the best: “Marietta provides consistently good service to all patrons. Her professionalism and care will be greatly missed.” Her giving spirit and sense of community doesn’t stop at the library doors. Throughout their years in Concord, Marietta and Ray have given many hours to their church and community. They plan to continue their volunteering, but hope to have more time to devote to their hobbies and travel.
Harold is not a great man compelled to do great things, but he feels bound to do something, so he writes Queenie a note, telling her that he hopes she will get better. Then heading out in little more than a windbreaker, slacks, and a pair of loafers, he aims to mail his letter at the corner mailbox. But he gets to the corner and thinks that perhaps he will mail it at the next post box, then the next, and the next. Before he knows it, Harold is on the road, walking toward Berwick-upon-Tweed. He cannot even admit to himself that he would rather keep walking away from Maureen and the antiseptic sleepwalk that is their life, than dare to think of returning. Maureen would certainly not understand Harold’s need to do something to honor Queenie. So he walks. Harold reaches the outer borders of their village, and continues northward completely ill-prepared and quite without a plan. During his cross-country journey, Harold meets many people who, inspired by his pilgrimage, convince him to keep walking despite the obvious lunacy of doing so. Soon, the news stations catch wind of Harold’s story and he becomes a folk hero, walking to deliver a message to a dying friend. He attracts groupies and critics, and watches as his private pilgrimage become a reality news event with little actual resemblance to the facts. In the end, Harold loses his mind, finds his compass, and completes his big journey with little fanfare. In the end, Harold lets his heart break open, where he finds the love he had hidden away. Cynthia Gregory writes book reviews, award-winning short stories and a blog. Visit her at www.twogirlstakeonlove.com or write cgregory111@gmail.com
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