Dial Press has recently relaunched with 2020 being its first year to have a full book list. What sets this imprint apart not only in its mission, but in words straight from its editorial director’s mouth, is that it strives to publish “books driven by the heart” written by impactful women who have a story that needs to be told and that will each leave their own unique mark.
Wow — hearing that, who wouldn’t want to either be on that list or read a book from it!? Well, I have just read one: Rachel Joyce’s MISS BENSON’S BEETLE. In this book, we follow two British women, who could not be any more different in every way, as they travel on an adventure to New Caledonia in search of the elusive golden beetle. This small ‘gold soft winged flower beetle’ shares the same flaw as staggering Bigfoot and so many other creatures who are rumored of and purportedly sighted (in this beetle’s case by even Darwin himself), in that they have never been proven to exist and be officially recognized by the Natural History Museum.
As we follow along their madcap journey across the South Pacific we begin to possibly speculate why the author may have chosen the humble beetle as their treasure waiting to be discovered. Although beetles on first thought might seem quite plain or small; upon further research they are wondrous in their infinitely different identifying characteristics as well as being the biggest species, making up to 25% of all animals. Symbolically people may underestimate women and view them as insignificant, from the two women on these pages to the ones reading this book, yet upon closer inspection they are revealed to also be magnificent and quite surprising.
Joyce’s writing style also has some of that same appeal in the vivid imagery and descriptions she crafts of her characters. For example, when she describes one of the main characters, Enid Pretty (check out that name?!), it is so well done that I had a mental image of her as The Hunger Game’s Effie Trinket. And if there is a movie adaptation I can also picture it in the distinct style of Wes Anderson or as in the film HUGO.
Finally, there is a third main character in the book, PTSD stricken Mr. Mundic, who despite having central roles in the book - saving a life and taking a life, is completely overshadowed by and is unable to stop these two passionate female explorers each chasing their own vocations.

If this book interests you and you would like to virtually travel to far flung New Caledonia with Marjory and Enid, and see what it is that grabs your heart to make it a ‘Dial Press’ worthy book -

Tentative On Sale: 11/24/20
Publication Month: Dec 2020

#MissBensonsBeetle #NetGalley

Another wonderful book by Rachel Joyce!! Loved the characters with all their flaws and quirks wrapped in an improbable, but very enjoyable and heartwarming story

Margery Benson, fictional character, represents a ground-breaking woman who sets on a journey across the world to find an elusive golden beetle of New Caledonia. With her assistant, polar opposite, they also break grounds in getting to know each other and creating an endearing friendship. Written with phenomenal humor.

London, 1914. Ten year old Margery doesn’t share her father’s love for insects until he introduces her to the golden beetle of New Caledonia. No one has found and cataloged it yet. So it may or may not exist.

1950. Miss Benson is a teacher and she has just become a school joke. She has had enough. She is forty-seven years old. It’s now or never. She is going to fulfill her life’s passion and dream. She is going to New Caledonia in search of the elusive golden beetle. After picking an assistant for her trip to the other side of the world, the story goes back in time and reveals how her passion for beetles continued when she was young. “Beetles she understood. It was people who had become strange.”

With her assistant they make a rather peculiar pair. Margery not much of a talker, Enid nonstop-talkative. “By the time they reached Tilbury, she felt murderous. If she could have killed her, quietly and without anyone noticing, she would have.” Margery is reserved, Enid excitable. Margery would rather talk to beetles than men, Enid can put on a saucy talk whenever needed. Margery is serious about expedition, Enid doesn’t think it hurts to have some fun. Now, Margery wonders if Enid is an entirely stable person.

The island of New Caledonia was discovered by Captain Cook in 1774. “One hundred years later, Napoleon ordered the annexation of the island as a penal colony. (…) The island’s history is not a happy one.” But the beauty of the island is undeniable with palms lining the beaches and crystal clear waters.

Once on the island, they get serious: slicing through undergrowth, laying insect traps, examining “dead leaves, fallen branches, rotten logs, pig droppings.” When Margery is about to give up, Enid doesn’t let her. Now, their differences seem to be dissolving. And sometimes, Enid still surprises Margery, “the way she could look into the air and come out with a piece of wisdom.”

These deeply human characters show us that even with their differences they can learn from each other and create a deep bond. Margery is always conscious of her physical appearance, tall and a bit limp with one leg. With shortages after the war, her clothes are not that attractive, making her a joke target of young kids at school. Enid is attractive, and so not ready for an adventure in the wild. But she is wild herself, unpredictable and completely illogical. However, the life’s obstacles along their journey, when they need each other, bond them despite their differences.

This saucy story also offers a questionable character, a scandal, a natural disaster, and above all an uplifting friendship, written with so much humanity and humor. It made me laugh out loud many times.

This beautifully and flawlessly written story is one of the most enjoyable and heart-warming stories I have ever read.

It took me a bit to get into this book. I feel it is too long, but it comes together. While I wasn’t crazy about the story, I do now want to see New Caledonia and hike through it’s wilderness and sit on its beaches. This is a story about an unlikely duo who overcome many impossible obstacles to follow a dream. It takes a while to come up with a reason to like Margery or understand Enid. I wanted to keep reading after halfway just to see if they could do it but the first have was a struggle to get through.

I absolutely chose this book because of its cover and I have no regrets.

Disguised as a historical adventure, Miss Benson's Beetle is a bit like an old Hollywood movie, comically absurd with everything that can possibly go wrong doing so. Unlike those old films there is a hidden depth to the story with the characters experiencing and dealing with the repercussions of suicide, ptsd and mental health, homosexuality and pregnancy out of wedlock, along with several other lesser (but no less valid) traumas. It sounds like a lot but it somehow all comes together in a beautifully tumultuous journey. Miss Benson sets out to find a Golden Beetle to honor her father but among the flora and fauna of the tropics she finds much more; freedom, forgiveness, friendship and eventually family.

The intentional dissonance between the bordering-on-twee style and the rather serious themes (which include suicide and a former POW's post-traumatic stress) makes "Miss Benson's Beetle" unexpectedly affecting and unlike anything I can recall reading recently. At times I thought the former POW's issues in particular were treated too glibly, solely as a source of humor. As the story continues, though, the tone almost imperceptibly changes. Characters who were originally seen solely as figures of fun or of pity reveal their depths, and the relationship between the two main characters, Margery and Enid, evolves beautifully. Much of the prose is beautiful too, in a nonshowy way; the description of a baby's "good intention of a nose" is perfection. And though I loathe the tropics, even I entertained thoughts of visiting New Caledonia after reading this.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press, for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Rachel Joyce. I enjoyed the characters and how they were developed as the book went along. I loved Margery and was cheering for her the whole way through!

This book covered the full emotional spectrum for me., Parts were very sad and other parts made me chuckle. Even though I felt the last few chapters were a bit rushed I finished this book feeling happy that I read it. I really liked how the author ended with the Freya chapter and brought things around full circle.

Thank you to Random House, the author and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

This is really good literature. Excellent character creation and development, a good plot, and nice pacing. There's humor, adventure, and lots more. The many characters are interesting and varied. An engaging read, well told. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I haven't read any of the author's previous books and was intrigued by the cover and the blurb. Well, I wasn't disappointed! What a lovely story that really brought out many emotions and introduced unforgettable characters. This book was like nothing I have ever read and I enjoyed the author's description of place and the round characters. This a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

<I> Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</I>

Another phenomenal Joyce novel that left me feeling battered and spent from enduring a story that is simply an emotional whirlwind. On the surface <U>Miss Benson's Beetle</u> brings together a colourful cast of complex characters in search of the elusive golden beetle of New Caledonia, but this work was so much more than that. No review can do it justice. Every chapter held a new twist, delved into a further explanation of why individual characters decided to make the choices they did, adding depth and connection to the story. I could not stop thinking about this book, could not put it down. It tugged at my heartstrings. It destroyed me in the most delicious way possible. I will have a book hangover for weeks from this one. If you enjoy Joyce's previous works you will not be disappointed by this one.

This novel is charm personified. I loved every page, and would gladly read the further adventures of Margery and Enid.

The joy of all Joyce novels, is that she fills these delightful stories with so much heart and soul. In these difficult times of pandemic quarantine, there is no better antidote than this book. I was so sorry to see it end.

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce is an excellent novel that is part historical fiction part second-chance part adventure. This is a tale of a woman that has had her share of disappointments and adversities and in the process of this novel: finds herself, finds her hopes/dreams/goals, finds a warm and deep relationship in a surprising newfound friendship.

We first meet Miss Margery Benson in the gray, drab exitance of post-war England. She is stuck in a position that has little to be desired and is most certainly missing something in her life. Margery decides she will throw caution to the wind and go after a long-ago dream of finding the Golden Beetle in the exotic atmosphere of a tropical island off and away of New Caledonia. Of course she can not do this on her own and feels she needs an assistant. Enid Pretty is up for the job. What first seems as two women embarking on an offbeat quest that are polar opposites ends up the travels and adventure that are life-changing and both women find in each other a bond, strength, and love that they did not even realize were missing.

While reading through their travels and journeys, it almost feels as if one was in The Wizard Of Oz where everything transitions from black and white to glorious color. The quirky characters, the rich and descriptive plot with the unique quest, and the wonderful transformations that the characters experience is truly exceptional. Ms. Joyce has made a real treasure that is truly heart warming and memorable.

Excellent novel. 5/5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press/Random House for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

Another wonderful novel by Rachel Joyce.I was drawn in by the first pages.Loved the characters who really come alive.The unusual adventure the relationship between the two women a wonderful read.#netgalley#randomhouse

I'm delighted that I got the opportunity to read an advance copy of Miss Benson's Beetle. It was so refreshing to read such a unique book. It has a quirky storyline with wonderful characters, humor, mysteries, and it all works to be a wonderful read. It was exactly what I needed: very entertaining, yet with a lot of substance. The locale and circumstances are unconventional, but the relationships in the book could be related to universally.

I highly recommend this book and think it would be a great choice for reading groups. Although this book is quite different, I'm sure the author's fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry will love this one too.

I was privileged to receive an ARC of this novel from NetGalley. Halfway through my reading, I preordered a hardcover copy. There are books one needs to own in case there is an apocalypse and kindle doesn't work anymore.
This novel starts in post World War II Britain, a world of continued rationing and lines. Miss Benson is a lump of a woman, alone in the world, working in a dreadful teaching job. One day she has a breakdown and goes off to follow a long-delayed dream. She wants to find a golden beetle rumored to exist in the tropical island of New Caledonia.
I very much liked this author's earlier work, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. The plots of the two books are basically the same. A person sets off on a journey, meeting interesting people and adventures along the way, and figuring out his/her life. Miss Bensons adventures are bolder than Harold's. She, herself, comes across so clearly. I've known women like Miss Benson. Her triumph is much bigger than Harold's. There's a bit of a feminist message here. Also, one of the reasons I liked the earlier book was the strong sense of setting. Setting is, again, superbly done here.
I'm an avid reader, mowing through at least one hundred and fifty books a year. For thirty years, one novel has remained my favorite. It just got replaced in my personal hall of fame.

If you haven’t read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, do it immediately! It was one of my favorite books thanks to the beautiful writing and the heartwarming- and heartbreaking- story.

I have read everything Rachel Joyce has written. She is an author who crafts such great stories, I don’t even care too much about the plot, I just know she’s a master storyteller and I want to read whatever she writes.

Miss Benson’s Beetle looks like the quirky kind of story that I absolutely love and don’t find too many so when I do, I soak them in.

Take a look:

Margery Benson’s life ended the day her father walked out of his study and never came back. Forty years later, abandoning a dull job, she advertises for an assistant. The successful candidate is to accompany Margery on an expedition to the other side of the world to search for a beetle that may or may not exist. Enid Pretty is not who she had in mind. But together they will find themselves drawn into an adventure that exceeds all Margery’s expectations, eventually finding new life at the top of a red mountain.

I loved everything about this book- the characters, the writing, the story. Its witty, fun, and clever. As I read it, I kept thinking that it would make an excellent TV series. Its a fun read with a little sadness, and I enjoyed every second of reading it.

Coming out on November 24

As always, Joyce creates a well woven story with any interesting characters. I didn't connect to Margery as I have to past protagonists, but overall a good story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy of this fabulous, enthralling book. It evoked strong emotions from sadness to joy. The description of post-war England and the vivid, atmospheric portrayal of the jungle was transporting. The story was lovely and beautiful despite all the hardships and conflicts endured.

The characters of Marjorie Benson and Enid Pretty were well developed and told with humour and passion. Marjorie was a large 47-year-old spinster, very prim and proper, reserved, self-conscious, and both physically and socially awkward. The story begins with Marjorie trying to teach her class of unruly, disruptive girls. They are passing around a drawing making fun of her appearance. Humiliated, she walks out of the school after stealing a pair of boots.

She decides to fulfill a lifetime dream of finding and proving the existence of a rumoured golden beetle in the jungles of the remote New Caledonia Island. She wants to present her discovery to the National History Museum. Out of necessity, she advertises for an assistant to accompany her to this faraway island. The first two applicants were found unsuitable. A third woman was hired but backed out later. This left Enid Pretty, who was rejected and not interviewed because the woman’s initial letter made her appear nearly illiterate. Marjorie’s journey is quickly drawing near and she has little choice than to meet Enid.

When the two women meet, Marjorie is dressed in dull-coloured jungle clothes. The much younger Enid shows up dressed in a pink, provocative outfit. Her hair is dyed a bright yellow, and she is later described as looking like a call girl. She is enthusiastic about the expedition and pleads to be Marjorie’s assistant. She never stops talking, rambling on from one subject to another, which is very annoying to Marjorie. Enid is not prepared. She doesn't even have a passport and knows nothing about beetles, but time is short so Marjorie reluctantly agrees that Enid may accompany her on this journey of exploration.

Both women have different reasons to leave England far behind. I won't go into their backstories as these would be spoilers. For the same reluctance of ruining some of the enjoyment of the book, I am avoiding describing the hilarity and misadventures aboard ship and the perils and pleasures they encounter in the jungle. It is inevitable that the two women with such different temperaments clash frequently. They finally come to support and be dependant on one another. Not only does a friendship but a strong family-type love develop.

In the meantime, they are being followed by a former soldier who endured the horrors of the Burmese march and imprisonment by the Japanese. He is broken physically, mentally, and spiritually. Having psychotic episodes, he presents a danger to himself and others. Also, in the storyline, are British wives leading frivolous lives in the capital, one is targeting our two explorers.

I absolutely loved this book from its early scenes of Marjorie failing to control her classroom to its very satisfying conclusion years later. I would like to see this as a TV series but it would probably be too expensive to produce.
Highly recommended!