Miss Benson's Beetle

An uplifting story of female friendship against the odds

By: Rachel Joyce

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Brought to you by Penguin.

It is 1950. In a devastating moment of clarity, Margery Benson abandons her dead-end job and advertises for an assistant to accompany her on an expedition. She is going to travel to the other side of the world to search for a beetle that may or may not exist.
Enid Pretty, in her unlikely pink travel suit, is not the companion Margery had in mind. And yet together they will be drawn into an adventure that will exceed every expectation. They will risk everything, break all the rules, and at the top of a red mountain, discover their best selves.

This is a story that is less about what can be found than the belief it might be found; it is an intoxicating adventure story but it is also about what it means to be a woman and a tender exploration of a friendship that defies all boundaries.

©Rachel Joyce 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Critic reviews

Unmissable fiction from an award-winning author: an unlikely pair embark on a grand adventure in this glorious novel about second chances, heartfelt friendships and emotional courage. (Eithne Farry)

A girl's own adventure...This is Rachel Joyce's best book yet ...Exciting, moving and full of unexpected turns... surely this is the one that will propel the intrepid Joyce off the long and shortlists into prizewinning territory. (Melissa Katsoulis)

A joy of a novel, with real insight into the lives of women, the value of friendship and the lasting effects of war (Katy Guest)

Joyce's characters are so charmingly eccentric that they could have leapt straight from the pages of a Dickens novel. Enid is a comedic masterpiece, effervescent and brimming with life.
This exhilarating story will scoop you up and carry you along to a dizzying crescendo. But it is also a story of an unlikely friendship and of women who refuse to be defined by the labels cast upon them in drab 1950s Britain. Funny, wise, and utterly life-affirming

A life-affirming, joyously escapist picaresque tale

This glorious novel is as much about second chances, heartfelt friendships and emotional courage as it is about trekking through dangerous terrain.

A glorious novel about second chances, heartfelt friendships and emotional courage.

BEST BOOKS FOR SUMMER 2020: uplifting

Rachel Joyce created an unforgettable character with Harold Fry and she's done it again with Margery Benson ... Hilarious

A sparkling new take on the concept of changing your life on a whim ... a standout, special read.

Absolutely wonderful!

I loved the narration, it was excellently produced and kept me interested to the very end. I think it is a good story for many ages and I will definitely recommend it to my sister to have a listen. Thank you!

BEST EVER!

I absolutely loved every moment of this delightful, sensitive beautiful unusual adventure story. The snipbits of humor that sneaked in so unexpectedly gave such depth and interest to this great story. I felt lost when it ended.. BRAVO 👏 to Rachel Joyce and Juliet Stevenson

Wonderful

Heartwarming, funny and engaging. I absolutely loved the story, and the narrator is brilliant, lending real depth to each character.

A weird but captivating listen...

I was looking for another book read by Julie Stevenson & came across "Miss Benson's Beetle". It's nothing like I've ever listened to before & for a while I couldn't decide whether I should push forward or return the book. The main character is far from anything /anyone I could identify with, but the characters & storyline became entriquing & I pushed on. Excellent narration & in the end such lovely character development. Nothing predictable about this read but one that you won't easel forget.

What a delight

The narration and performance were faultless; the story beautiful and poignant. I loved every word.