Favourite Book of all time

I absolutely loved every single word of this book and listened to it over 3 days. So funny and yet so sad as well . Juliet Stevenson’s narration was first class. I could easily listen to it again and again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

Charming story of an unlikely friendship.

This book made me smile, giggle and sigh with sadness. It is a remarkable story about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things - which Rachel Joyce is now expert at writing.

Margery Benson, a spinster whose life has been marked by boredom and the sudden departure of important people, leaves her job as a domestic science teacher under a bit of a cloud. She decides to set off on an adventure to New Caledonia in order to discover a legendary white Orchid and golden beetle, species that she first learned of as a child and which have not been seen by humans for a very long time, if ever. She engages a young woman called Enid Pretty as an assistant and sets off.

But Enid has secrets and Margery underestimates the rigours of both the journey and the exploration. Enid suspects that they are being followed but neither of the women can prove it. Their arrival in New Caledonia proves to be an amusement to the local English colonials, one of whom takes it upon herself to prove that the newcomers are wanted criminals.

The story is beautifully plotted and well written, with believable characters, moments of fantastic humour and poignancy and lovely descriptions of the world in which Miss Benson finds herself in. Will she find her beetle or will the women’s quest end in personal disaster? Will the ‘follower’ prove to be real and will the malice of one woman prevail?

Juliet Stevenson is a fantastic narrator; she brings the characters to life and creates a cast of voices that are both hilarious and serious but always entertaining.

A great novel.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Life-affirming & enriching!

I honestly feel richer for knowing Marjory and Enid. I was so impressed by the writing from the off, and the story is so perfectly crafted. It’s rare that the writing and the story are equally matched in a book. And the performance made it extra-cinematic, I’ll definitely be recommending the audiobook when I tell people about ‘Miss Benson’s Beetle’!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Great book

I read the hardback book and enjoyed it so much I bought the audible version as well. A great uplifting story about friendship and never giving up. Well written, thoughtful, funny and sad can’t wait for the next book by Rachel Joyce.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

fantastic story. Loved it.

Wonderful story of an unlikely friendship and an adventurous expedition.
Couldn’t fault the narration. Have listened to it twice and I’m sure it won’t be the last time

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

What a fun adventure!

I didn’t know what to think of this title when I bought it, I had just liked the idea of a story that involve to women travelling to the other side of the world together in the 1950s. Their adventures were far-fetched and hilarious, yet there were true glimpses of humanity between their escapades.
I highly recommend this book it had me laughing out loud several times, the two women are chalk and cheese at the beginning but end is best friends. A real must read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

a fun and light hearted story

loved the story and Juliet Stevenson reads it beautiful. a rather silly story but fun and light hearted, set in a fictional past.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good story

The voice of Enid nauseating. I had to revert to reading the book in hardcopy. Shame.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Thrilling and charming adventure

I loved this book. I was uncertain at the beginning but was soon gripped and wholly enveloped in the story. It was intense and emotional, both characters revealing their intimate secrets little by little throughout.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

unbelievably good...

amazing narration as ever. what a magical story
.. it is my go to feel good tale... one I will never forget. everyone I recommend it to... whether an intellectual or an occasional reader loves it... inspiring, funny, heart breaking and just wonderful.. a gift of a book thank you

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!