Miss Benson's Beetle

In 1950, Margery Benson abandons her teaching position in London to pursue her childhood dream of finding a rare golden beetle in New Caledonia. She hires an assistant named Enid Pretty and embarks on the long voyage across the world. The two women face obstacles and challenges during their expedition through the remote Pacific island territory. Their unlikely partnership evolves as they navigate the physical and emotional demands of their mission in post-war New Caledonia. This historical adventure incorporates themes of female friendship, personal reinvention, and the pursuit of lifelong dreams. The novel examines how unexpected connections can transform lives while exploring the tension between duty and desire.

Readers appreciate the unlikely friendship between the two main characters and their personal growth throughout the journey. Many note the blend of humor with deeper themes of purpose and self-discovery. The detailed 1950s historical setting and vivid descriptions of New Caledonia receive frequent mention in positive reviews. Common criticisms include the slow pace of the first third of the book and some plot elements that readers found implausible. Several reviewers mention struggling to connect with Enid's character initially. "The ending felt rushed compared to the careful buildup," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another writes, "The friendship between these two women kept me reading even when the plot meandered." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (48,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (5,800+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.2/5 (900+ ratings) The book earned the 2021 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize and was selected for BBC Radio 2's Book Club.

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🪲 Author Rachel Joyce was inspired to write this novel after discovering a 1950s newspaper article about a woman who traveled to New Caledonia in search of a mysterious golden beetle. 🌏 New Caledonia, where much of the novel is set, is a French territory in the South Pacific with one of the world's most diverse and unique ecosystems, home to countless endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. 📚 Before becoming a novelist, Rachel Joyce worked for 20 years as an actress and wrote over 20 original afternoon plays for BBC Radio 4. 🔍 While the golden beetle in the story is fictional, New Caledonia is home to several spectacular real beetle species, including the vibrant Callisthenes elegans and the metallic blue Eupholus bennetti. 🎯 The novel was shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2021, celebrating both its humor and its exploration of female friendship and adventure in a post-WWII setting.