Miss Benson’s Beetle A Novel
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce is a novel published by Random House Publishing Group on November 3, 2020. This edition, written in English and spanning 368 pages, follows the journey of Margery Benson, a schoolteacher in post-World War II London, who embarks on an expedition to find a mythical insect, the golden beetle of New Caledonia. After leaving her mundane life behind, she recruits an unlikely assistant, Enid Pretty, whose carefree spirit contrasts sharply with Margery’s serious demeanor.
Readers will discover a narrative that explores themes of friendship and adventure as the two women navigate challenges far beyond their expectations. Set against a historical backdrop, the story delves into their evolving relationship and the personal transformations they undergo during their quest. This engaging tale highlights the significance of companionship and the courage to pursue one’s dreams, making it a thoughtful exploration of women’s experiences in a changing world.
Official synopsis Publisher
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “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
WINNER OF THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE • From the bestselling 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
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