The clue is in the title. One morning Harold Fry receives a letter from an old friend (Queenie) who is near death. He drafts a short reply and, leaving his wife doing the housework, he walks to the post box.

And carries on walking … from the South Hams to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Unsuitably dressed, with no phone, route map or other essentials, Harold’s walk helps him come to terms with what has gone wrong in his life. It also becomes a pilgrimage to save Queenie and to thank her for the selfless act she did many years before.

Verdict: a quirky, moving and inspiring story. Quite delightful. Just the thing for book club members. ****