Miss Benson's Beetle Audiobook By Rachel Joyce cover art

Miss Benson's Beetle

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Miss Benson's Beetle

By: Rachel Joyce
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.88

Buy for $18.88

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

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.

©2020 Rachel Joyce (P)2020 Penguin Audio Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Feel-Good Funny Heartfelt Inspiring Witty

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)
Captivating Story • Imaginative Premise • Excellent Narration • Engaging Adventure • Superb Vocal Performance
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
really enjoyed listening to this book. it was a bit dragged out but still a good listen. funny and well told.

Nice story, especially the first half

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What an amazing narration of this captivating story. Post WWII backdrop but it's not about the war or particularly about the beetle. It's about living.

Engaging story and performance!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I was sad when the book came to an end. Beautiful story with funny, exciting, nail biting, tear jerking moments throughout. Highly recommended.

Brilliant narrating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed this story about friendship and women following their dreams. How to have fun and always looking for the joy amidst adversity.
Well read and well written!

A delightful book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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!

Absolutely wonderful!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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

BEST EVER!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Heartwarming, funny and engaging. I absolutely loved the story, and the narrator is brilliant, lending real depth to each character.

Wonderful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

A weird but captivating listen...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narration and performance were faultless; the story beautiful and poignant. I loved every word.

What a delight

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A delightful book. Thank you Rachel Joyce and Juliet Stevenson. Gentle, funny and sad. Recommend.

Delightful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews