Miss Benson's Beetle

A Novel

By: Rachel Joyce

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

National best seller

“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)

From the best-selling 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)

©2020 Rachel Joyce (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[Miss Benson’s Beetle] feels larger than Joyce’s other books—more expansive, swashbuckling, a wild adventure. It is the best so far of her novels, and the most inspiring. . . . At the heart of the story is the slow, unlikely friendship that builds between the two women and how that friendship enables them both to grow stronger, more capable and more self-reliant. . . . There is resilience, there is redemption, and there is beauty—great beauty.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“I fell in love with the unlikely friendship between two wildly different women—their devotion to each other as they trek up and down mountains in someplace called New Caledonia is a hysterical delight. This novel made me realize how hungry I am for stories about women loving each other into being their best selves.”—Ann Napolitano, author of Dear Edward

“Miss Benson’s Beetle is a pure joyride. Sweet, witty, poignant, filled with intrigue and unlikely friendship, it’s a perfect escape. I loved it.”—Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends

I'll Read it Again Someday!

The unusual story of two women's adventures. I cared about the characters. Loved the narrator.

Great Adventure

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was well performed by the reader and kept me on the edge of my seat. Thank you very much for a fun story.

Delightful!

If you have recently struggled to find a good book... look no further. I adore this book and fell in love with the quirky women in this story. Throw in adventure and laughter, I was hooked!

Like other great books, I was sorry to see it end. I should have listened to it more slowly and savored each chapter. But, I was enjoying it so much, I had to keep listening.

If you loved the Giver of Stars and Where the Crawdads Sing, you'll love this book too!! Enjoy!!

Lovely and Fun

Enjoyed this book so much. Narrator was great, story is beautiful. I read a LOT of literature and this one will stick with me. Author captures the lives of women during the period so well, and yet these characters transcend the period and are relevant to our lives today.

Oh Please Listen!

I never rate or review because everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I can’t think why they would need or want mine. This book is so special and unique. Juliet Stevenson is a superb narrator and her performance is perfect. This story will stay with me and live happily in my heart forever. Smart, so incredibly smart and funny! It’s good to be reminded there are so many kinds of love in this world. How many books become even better with every chapter right up to the last page. ❤️

It was a story that built and Pulled you in.

Narrator was very good! She spoke clearly and each character was well defined and easy to distinguish.

An absolute pleasure

This book made me smile and cry and feel all of the feelz. I actually decided to give the book a shot because I’m a huge fan of the narrator. However, the story itself was a was a treat from beginning to end and was a nice break from my usual thrillers I typically read. There was such a sweet friendship between the two characters that reminded me of Dorothy and Rose of the Golden Girls, I absolutely loved it. The Author did an amazing job of telling a very beautiful and meaningful story. 5 stars easy-

I LOVED this audio book!

I loved the characters and their voices were incredible. I laughed out loud many times! The story is sweet, funny. Thought provoking and inspiring. I can’t wait to try another Rachel Joyce book. Well done everyone involved!

Best I’ve heard in awhile!

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Interesting and lovable characters on an adventure of a lifetime!

Simply Excellent

I loved every moment of this tale. It really does take you along for the adventure! The characters and their relationship are portrayed so honestly. It's an easy and very fun read. The added bonus in this case is the outstanding job done by the narrator!