Enchanting novel set in New Caledonia – Miss Benson’s Beetle
Miss Benson’s Beetle set in New Caledonia by Rachel Joyce
Enchanting novel set in New Caledonia – Miss Benson’s Beetle – It’s the 1950’s – 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. Now, this is a Rachel Joyce novel so you know there is something involved in this and behind in this.
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This book is quite a journey! One where I laughed, cried and laughed some more. I travelled all the way from England to Australia and then on New Caledonia. Margery is the woman who sets off to look for a golden beetle. Not just any beetle mind you – that’s the magic of the story you’ll have to discover on your own. It’s also a journey of discovery for Margery herself
Never has a book made me chuckle and cry in quite the same amounts at the same time. There are some really laugh out loud moments here. Margery is one of my favourite character I have come across in a long time. She’s quirky, a bit ditsy, socially awkward and often made fun of.. It’s not until she meets perhaps someone even more unusual than she is, does she come into her own.
BookTrail Travel to locations in Miss Benson’s Beetle
The characterisation is so strong here to the point you can almost touch these people. Just listen:
“She was a sweet person, but her intelligence was saved for special occasions.”
Rachel Joyce can carve real people with feelings and wonderment just from words. Characters who smile, laugh and cry with you.
Margery and her assistant Edith are wonderful in every sense of the world. The banter and camaraderie between them, having only just met is a delight to behold. I wanted to go on this journey with them for real. Such warmth and love, wit and humour. Margery’s passion for this beetle shines through. We know some of her story but not much about Edith. That works really well as the two find out about each other.
Their journey takes over from their search for the beetle although I was still very keen to find out if they found it or not. The book started as one journey and ended up as quite another.
The travelling to New Caledonia was a background to the unfolding story but it was beautifully done. Weaving its tropical magic throughout until a very unique and fitting ending.
Aah Margery! Someone needs to write a song about you.
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