Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
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 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Miss Benson's Beetle

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

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.88

Buy for $18.88

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

Publisher's summary

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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

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)

What listeners say about Miss Benson's Beetle

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    199
  • 4 Stars
    40
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    197
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    178
  • 4 Stars
    34
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Nice story, especially the first half

really enjoyed listening to this book. it was a bit dragged out but still a good listen. funny and well told.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Engaging story and performance!

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.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant narrating

I was sad when the book came to an end. Beautiful story with funny, exciting, nail biting, tear jerking moments throughout. Highly recommended.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely wonderful!

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!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

BEST EVER!

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

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Heartwarming, funny and engaging. I absolutely loved the story, and the narrator is brilliant, lending real depth to each character.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A weird but captivating listen...

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.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a delight

The narration and performance were faultless; the story beautiful and poignant. I loved every word.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful

A delightful book. Thank you Rachel Joyce and Juliet Stevenson. Gentle, funny and sad. Recommend.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Women power

This has just about everything but above all it’s about women power. We women can do everything we set our mind to even though we never thought we ever wanted or needed to. We can deal with whatever comes our way. especially with a little help from each other.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!