Miss Benson's Beetle

A Novel

De: Rachel Joyce

Narrado por: Juliet Stevenson

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

“[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

All for a beetle

I really enjoyed this book. The main characters and their story is believable & captivating. Juliet Stevenson' narration was wonderful bringing both women and all the other characters to life, Rachel Joyce's descriptions of the world of New Caledonia are magical and the misadventures, joys, friendship and tragedies of Margery & Enid made me love them.

Captivating

After the slow start, I found myself totally engaged. Every moment I was able to listen, I did!

Women's life choices

I enjoyed the character development,writing style, narration and message. Women's choices and how the make them.

Great book!

An unusual friendship filled with surprises and wisdom coming from unusual places. Enjoyed it very much.

The best book I've read for a while

The book was not without flaws, but a really good read! it was kind of offbeat and the characters were quirky and very interesting. the only thing I would have changed about it was a couple of things about the plot, but the author kind of made up for this stuff at the end. I definitely recommend the book!

Ten Stars If Possible

This is the best of Audible... Wonderful characters, engrossing story full of adventure, funny and authentic dialogue. Absolute brilliant narration.

It is a story of two women who could not be more different in all aspects of their lives or aspirations, who form an unlikely and amazing, unshakable friendship.

I did not want this book to end, did not want to "leave" these characters or their story. I highly recommend.

My oh my!

What a wonderful book! At times I felt it getting a little slow, then bam! it picked right back up! I can honestly say that I laughed and I cried. Enid is quite funny! Juliet Stevenson did wonderfully narrating as well.

A wonderful audiobook

I haven’t enjoyed an audiobook like this in sometime. The story is enchanting, and the narration captures the characters enhancing the enjoyment of the storytelling.

The Adventure of a lifetime!

Everyone talks of “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.” While a gentle novel, full of thought provoking prose, it pales when compared to Miss Benson’s Beetle. Beginning with juxtaposed women in every way, it sweeps you up in adventure, drama, mystery, science and the life changing impact two women can have on one another. What an incredible novel. The ending serves as a redemption for a completely unknown character but one who answers the call, saving herself from an ordinary life.
The characters were richly developed but I never saw the ending coming. It has reinforced in me that sometimes, the most unlikely, polar opposite of a human can be your greatest teacher and friend.
Stellar narration with perfect pitch, expert timing and excellent command of different voices and accents. Well done.
Take the opportunity and listen to it. You will be forever changed.

fully entertaining

I really enjoyed this one. I felt connected to the characters. it was a great adventure!