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

Terrific storytelling and performance

I came to read Miss Benson’s Beetle by following Audible reviews. No one had recommended the book and now I find myself wanting to share it with everyone. I will not spoil a second of the storytelling other than to say—the misguided misfits on a road trip will keep you guessing until the last word. I actually didn’t want this one to end. Good, old fashioned storytelling and a stellar Audible performance by Juliet Stevenson will be worth your journey with these unforgettable characters.

Laughed out Loud, A Lot

I don’t understand the bad reviews. This book was fantastic. The characters were complex and entertaining. The story was uplifting & hysterical. The gifted narration of Ms. Stevenson brought the spirit of the characters to life. One of my favorite books this year!

Spoiler alert

I loved this book so much but the ending... I want a new ending. Please change the ending. Ok it’s a silky little book about finding a golden beetle. There are so many fun adventures, great little life’s lessons along the way. It’s such a fun read.

Tremendous narration!

Delightful! The narrator was an absolute treat. She really brought the characters to life and made the story exceptionally entertaining. I've never been so invested in a beetle expedition!

This is my all time favorite!!

I’ve listened to scores of audiobooks. This is the best one yet! The story was mesmerizing, the performance OUTSTANDING!! Thank you for hours of listening joy!

Different and Enjoyable

A departure from what I usually read. I’ll be honest about me selection methods. I like to photograph the books at Target and look them up. This was an impulse selection and it was so quirky and engaging.

Wonderful book

Fine story, full of the unexpected. Characters so well developed, and their interior lives vividly conveyed. And I would listen to an automobile manual read by Juliet Stevenson. She’s a master of accents, and I was never in doubt as to who was talking. A good, resonant, and very expressive voice. I’m glad she was chosen for this excellent book.

Jolly good fun!!

Jolly good fun!! Endearing story. Definitely recommend!! Loved the friendship! Loved the adventure!! Read it!!

This should be a movie!

Half slap shtick, half romance and half entomology text book. Yes, that’s three halves. This book has so many threads and story lines it’s really more than one book. It’s not a traditional love story but that of two women making each other the best versions of themselves without the sexual intrigue. I loved the ending.

Such a treasure of a story

This book surprised me. The characters in the story are lovely and touched my heart in such a way that I wanted to be right there with them on this adventure. The end of the story was perfect and imperfect, just as life is for all of us.