Oh my goodness, this was an amazing book! I loved it so much. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed, and cried while reading it in nearly one sitting.

As a fan of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I was excited to read another book by this author. This book follows the life of spinster, Margery Benson, who is not very happily making her way through life. She decides it is time to quit her job and plan a trip to look for the mysterious golden beetle that she learned about from her father as a child. As she plans her trip to New Caledonia, she begins looking for an assistant that can go with her. Along comes Enid Pretty, a woman who doesn't take life too seriously and enjoys dressing in tight-fitting, bright clothing. They make an unexpected pair as they embark on their adventure. And what an adventure it becomes. I loved seeing both characters evolve as the book progesses. Margery and Enid will become two characters that you won't soon forget!.

The Short of It:

What a treat. Fans of Joyce won’t be disappointed.

The Rest of It:

Margery Benson is a schoolteacher in 1950’s London, and not a very good one at that. She can barely get by, is harassed by her own students and isn’t comfortable in her own skin. Pushed to her limit after a particularly bad day in the classroom, she takes off on an expedition to New Caledonia in search of a rare golden beetle that her father once told her about.

But first, she needs an assistant. The last person she had in mind for the job is the one who eventually shows up to take it. Enid Pretty, with her shock of yellow hair, her cotton candy pink suit and her pom pom sandals trots into Margery’s life and from day one is a major annoyance. But Margery is pressed for time as her ship is about to leave the port and she knows she can’t do it alone, so Enid is it.

What a charming story. Although the expedition is a little far-fetched, I found myself hanging on every word as these two take off on their adventure. Two, very headstrong, quirky women traveling to the other side of the world with little to no experience under their belts. This makes for a very entertaining read but it’s not all fun and games. Very early on you are tipped off that something larger is at play. This is one of those stories that you can’t put down because it’s so fun and quirky and yes, different but you know, you just know there is going to be a serious payout. That was definitely the case here.

Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine would do well by picking this book up. It has the same tone and feel and the way this friendship develops is quite sweet. Overall, it’s a feel-good book although there are two things that happen that made me a little sad. Those who have read it know what I mean. However, don’t let that stop you because I wish I still had more of the story to read. It’s that kind of story. I’ve read two other books by this author, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Music Shop and I loved them as well. Joyce knows how to write a good story.

Margery Benson has lived a sad and frustrated life dating from the year she was ten, during WWI. After a life lived with no real dreams, no pleasures and a job for which she is totally unsuited, Margery latches on to the memorable thing her father pointed out to her in one of his books: the golden beetle 🪲 of New Caledonia, an insect that has never been found and may be a myth. This novel is the mad, sometimes manic, expedition in search of that little beetle. And, along with other of Joyce’s books, it is also a story of self discovery. It is one of finding self-worth and meaning, and a story about women finding themselves in the 1950s. For Miss Benson teams with Enid Pretty as her assistant got this journey and both will find much more than expected.

There are ups and downs, laughter and definitely tears, and there is growth.

It struck her again: a life was such a short thing. All
those things people carried, and struggled to carry, yet one
day they would disappear, and so would the suffering inside
them, and all that would be left was this. The trees, the moon,
the dark. (loc 3532)

Joyce’s descriptions of the natural world are often gorgeous and reflect the change and development in Margery as she moves along her journey, meets new people and new challenges. Her descriptions of Margery’s inner world are equally interesting. One other character who recurs throughout the novel is Mundic, a former POW, held in Burma during WWII. While I wondered about his purpose in the story, ultimately I began to see him as one of society’s throw away people, much as Margery and Enid and many others were throw away people who struggled for purpose, a reason to go on.

I did enjoy this book very much; if not quite so much as Harold Fry or Queenie, Margery deserves her time in the sun.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it wasn't for me. While Miss Benson was an interesting character with an interesting past, most of the story and characters seemed very absurd. I wasn't a fan of the slapstick comedy and couldn't find myself getting invested in the novel. I know many others enjoyed the novel, and I'm happy they did! But unfortunately, this wasn't the book for me.

Such an enjoyable romp, although quite grisly in parts! Miss Benson decides to find an elusive beetle and departs on a voyage to New Calendonia in search of this beetle. Meeting Enid Pretty makes all sorts of changes in Margery's live, some for good, some for worse. Involving and poignant writing, this is definitely worth the read!

For all her life Margery Benson has been fascinated by beetles, especially the only rumored golden needle possibly found in New Caledonia, But life got in the way and she was now a fortyish spinster schoolteacher.Shaken out of her complacency at her school, she decides it's now time to to in search of the beetle.After advertising and interviewing for an assistant, she ends up with the least acceptable applicant and this is the story of their quest.Through many trials and countless tribulations, they finally set off on their quest. Maybe they will or won't find the beetle, but they learn to rely on each other. A feel good story reminiscent of Fredrik Bachman.

When as a young girl Margery Benson learned of the Golden Beetle of New Caledonia from her beloved father her life's path was set. Although it took several life altering tragedies to set her on the actual path of the beetle she actually set out on a trip to find the beetle. This trip was unheard of for a woman to lead and then to couple her with her assistant - flamboyant Enid Pretty, the trip seemed doomed from the start. The antics that ensue are entertaining and harrowing but a friendship and respect grows between the two women and the goal seems attainable. Quite the collection of rare beetles is growing as the trip draws to a close then Enid shares secrets from her past that might threaten their return. Twists and turns seem to spring up throughout the book as numerous as the beetles being collected. An enjoyable read about unlikely friendships, perseverance and the ending is so bitter sweet!

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce is a book about two women who could not possibly be any more different. Below the surface, maybe not so different after all. An unlikely, but lovely friendship story.

Things are difficult in 1950s London, and Margery Benson is just trying to keep her head down and make it through another day of teaching home economics. When students pass around a nasty caricature of her, she finally snaps. Margery leaves her job and her home to embark on a sacred quest. Ever since childhood, she has wanted to find the mythical golden beetle of New Caledonia. With the unlikely Enid Pretty as her assistant, she sets off for an adventure unlike anything she has ever experienced.
Miss Benson's Beetle, at its heart, might be a story about finding what gives you joy. Margery has been constrained by society's rules about what a woman should do, despite never finding her place there. Enid has used her looks to make it through life, but living in the jungle with Margery allows her to discover who she wants to be and how she wants to act when her life is not dictated by men. Rachel Joyce writes these two very different women so well, and the story of their growing friendship is compelling. Unfortunately, the book is a bit long and Joyce introduces a third storyline which doesn't add anything to the story. While this is not my favorite Joyce book, I have certainly found a place in my bookish heart for Margery and Enid and their adventures.

Miss Benson's Beetle
By Rachel Joyce
Dial Press November 2020
352 pages
Read via Netgalley

Also by Rachel Joyce:
The Music Shop
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the eARC in exchange for my honest review:

Miss Benson’s Beetle • Rachel Joyce
⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
——————————————————————
“It was so easy to find yourself doing the things in life you weren’t passionate about, to stick with them even when you didn’t want them and they hurt.”
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👍🏼 Thumbs Up:
Quirky characters, unlikely friendship story full of Amelia Bedelia type adventure!
•
👎🏻 Thumbs Down:
I just couldn’t get into it and it felt a bit long to me!
•
🤓 For Readers WHO:
-Enjoy adventure stories or stories about explorers.
-Are fans of an unlikely friendship trope
•
👉🏼 This is what’s WHAT:
A spinster in 1950’s London, Madgery Benson decides to quit doing what she’s always been expected to do and finally pursue her lifelong dream (and honor her fathers memory) by going across the world to find the golden beetle. She finds a woman seeking her own escape to be her assistant and a take of mishaps adventure ensue as this unlikely pair embarks on their voyage.
•
⏳WHEN I read this book:
I was reminded of Tarzan and Amelia Bedelia for some reason! Explorer mishaps and all.
•
🚨WHERE you should watch out:
-suicide
-POW PTSD
-Murder
-Spousal abuse
-Mentions of miscarriage/infant loss
•
📍WHY you should NOT read this book:
If you pick this one up, I would not recommend the audio version!
•
📚 HOW I read this book:
EARC from @netgalley alongside the audio from my library

This is my first experience with Joyce's writing - and it certainly won't be my last! I really loved this! It's quite possibly one of my very favorite books of 2020! I didn't know what to expect going in, but the whole adventure that the titular Miss Margery Benson undertakes to find the golden beetle of New Caledonia makes for a truly excellent read! At 46, Margery decides on a sudden impulse to go after her childhood dream. Reserved, a bit stodgy, while being more than a little funny and completely likable, Margery is in direct contrast with her assistant, Enid Pretty. Partly a story of chasing one's dreams, and partly of friendship, I found myself smiling and genuinely enjoying this from start to finish! I laughed out loud, muffled genuine sobs and completely fell in love with the characters.

They all truly spring to life - even the villains are sympathetic in their own ways. It's just so well-written and generally well done! I would think that this would be a lot of fun to listen to as an audiobook as well. I completely enjoyed this (and to be honest, as someone who doesn't enjoy beetles or any type of bug at all, this far exceeded my expectations as even the beetles through Margery's eyes seem pretty and almost charming!). The historical detail feels well-researched too - from the remote landscape to the hard journey to get there. It almost gives this a timeless quality at times. I just really loved this one! It's a bit sad, too, but manages to remain an overall hopeful and uplifting story. I am definitely excited to check out her earlier novels (maybe on audio!). It's so very well done!

Miss Benson's Beetle is a wonderful book about taking chances, and following your dreams - even if you are older and set in your ways. The main character becomes tried and bored with her day to day existence, and plans the expedition of a lifetime - to find the elusive gold beetle. She learns on her journey that she is more courageous than she ever imagined, and that first impressions may lead you miss out on relationships that you will treasure forever.

Fast paced book and I really enjoyed it. Good story line and I think people are gonna love it. I would definitely read again and recommend

I really loved Enid and Margery. Though they seem ill suited to each other, their connection was wonderful. This was an intriguing and fun book. I would love to see this adapted to the screen.

In 1950, London is reeling from World War II, and Margery Benson, a schoolteacher and spinster, is trying to survive on scraps. One day, she reaches her breaking point, abandons her job and plans an expedition to find the golden beetle in New Caledonia. But the assistant she hires, fun-loving and flamboyant Enid Pretty, seems to attract trouble wherever she goes. And a sinister stalker won't let the two women get away alone. Will Margery and Enid be able to achieve their goals and become friends while surviving their expedition?
"Miss Benson's Beetle" surprised me. I wasn't sure at first, but I soon fell in love with Margery. And Enid grew on me as I read. I didn't want the book to end and felt myself opening up to possibilities as I read. It's a book about resilience, friendship and perseverance that inspired me to practice courage and find my gumption.
Some of my favorite quotes:
A beetle may be small, and on the chunky side, but its will to travel was spectacular.
She was not fragile and neither did she want to die. She wanted to live.
No matter how awful life was, I would never want to give up. I would always want to keep living.
She didn't know how she was going to get there, or when. But the real failure as a woman was not even to try.

Heartwarming tale of two quirky women who find themselves and each other as they head off in search of the elusive gold beetle.

I just loved Miss Benson’s Beetle and the characters have left a lasting impression on my heart! It’s no secret that I love a quirky character, and Margery Benson was just the eccentric yet compelling protagonist I grew to love.

After enduring trauma through her early life, Margery lives her adult years alone. Now she must travel to New Caledonia and is in search of an assistant. Enter Enid Pretty. An unlikely pair that turns to friendship, I just loved seeing these two women bond as they embark on their adventure.

*many thanks to Dial Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback and Rachel Joyce fro free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

After a hard book I was looking for something light and fun to read. According to the premise provided by the publisher Miss Benson's Beetle was exactly the book I was looking for. I was right and wrong at the same time.

On one hand, it was a na easy book to dive in and I enjoyed it immediately. I laughed out-loud so many times, I lost count. MIss Benson was such a sweet relatable character, I could not fall in love with her instantly. On the other hand, there were chapters that ripped my heart apart and I cried over them. I did not expect the book to be deep but it definitely was.

I love everything about it - characters and writing style, the flow and the plot, it all made sense and was such a complete story. It was witty and profound, it was like ice and fire together.

If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?

Rachel Joyce's novel Miss Benson's Beetle is perfect for book clubs. It is set in the post-war 1950s and tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two women. The book is both fun and moving, and well written.