Miss Benson's Beetle

A Novel

De: Rachel Joyce

Narrado por: Juliet Stevenson

NATIONAL 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

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

Adventureous

Fun. Great narration. Involved characters.
Caused reflection of my life goals and adventures. Moved rapidly.

Beautiful

The making of a tender friendship told with charm and wit. Perfect narration. Rachel Joyce , thank you.

Amazing creativity from this author

One of best books I ever read
Incredible imagination and wit
Beautiful relationship
So funny/entertaining
So meaningful
Hard to have gotten to the end

Such a fun story!

I loved this book from start to finish. The two main characters are both very likeable, and they grow and change over the course of the story as their friendship develops. The narrator does a great job performing their very different voices. And I even learned quite a bit about beetles!

A Unique and Magical Tale

I completely agree with the reviewer who objected to the description of this book as “hilarious” or “hysterical.” Yes, it is often very funny, largely because of the remarkable Juliet Stevenson’s portrayal of Enid Pretty (as well as her other marvelous character portraits). But there is also a deep well of pain in the story, much of this reflecting the personal horrors and suffering in the aftermath of World War I. Each major character has known tragedy; some rise above it, others fall victim to it. I heartedly recommend this beautiful book, but I suggest that readers not approach it as I foolishly did, as “light” reading. I will be carrying Miss Benson and her golden beetle in my heart for a long time. Diana Burgwyn