Finding the way

I've followed Rachel Joyce since her first strangely wonderful book The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Miss Benson's Beetle is just as wonderful. What arresting opening few paragraphs! Young Margery hears her father take a phone call during WW1 muttering only 'ALL of them? ALL of them?' and then hears the gunshot after he goes in silence into the garden. Her four brothers had all died on the same day at Mons and her mother spends the rest of her life mainly sitting in her chair. (as well she might).

Rachel Joyce's characters have experienced impossibly terrible life-crushing grief in their pasts, and have led diminished lives as a consequence. But there ARE second chances in life and extraordinary experiences enable new lives to bud and bloom. Margery is obsessed about finding the golden beetle in New Colorado which he father had told her about and after her mother's death, she sets off with the most unlikely assistant: garrulous Enid with her dyed yellow hair, ridiculous shoes and pink clothes who knows nothing about beetles let alone the other side of the world.

Enid's life has been rackety and tough - exactly how tough develops throughout the story, her deep longing for a baby having been thwarted by miscarriages and a sick husband being only one part of it. As the two women embark on this crazy buddy caper, an unlikely bond deeper and stronger than either of them have experienced with any other human being grows between them. There's comedy as well as tenderness and humanity which never dips into sentimentality. The story is jam-packed with adventure, danger, suspense and beauty; the plot constantly growing in complexity as the backgrounds of Margery and Enid are explored. Another theme is Mr Mundic who originally wanted to lead Margery's expedition and who remains an unseen presence until the end. (What an end!) His background working on the Burma railway and the confused trauma in which he lives is astoundingly vivid and empathetic. The last chapter is 30 years later - and Rachel Joyce still has wonderful surprises in this glorious redemptive story.

Juliet Stevenson is of course a great narrator with some scenes (you'll know which ones!) so real that you can hardly bear to listen. I found though that she over-did Enid's harsh accent - the cultural differences between the two women didn't need to be made so obvious. But that's just a quibble. One of the best books I've listened to for quite a while.

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40 people found this helpful

Sublime

Absolute jewel of a story of an unlikely female friendship. Exquisitely read by Juliet Stevenson. Beautifully written, observed, characterised. Can’t recommend highly enough.

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4 people found this helpful

Enjoyable escape

In difficult times it was nice to escape to elsewhere in pursuit of dreams - and even better that it was in simpler less connected times. The story rolls along nicely - Juliet Stevenson is a great narrator - although I found the shrillness of one of the characters quite grating at times (probably as intended). Enjoyable listen - recommended for gentle escapism.

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1 person found this helpful

thoroughly enjoyable

Loved this so much! Such a beautiful story about friendship, struggles, challenges and life placed in a captivating journey. Definitely recommend.

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Absolutely magnificent!

Completely beautiful in every respect, tho it should be said that Juliet Stevensen's performance is utterly brilliant and makes this truely outstanding. Loved it!!

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A beautiful story, with characters I won't forget

I simply loved this book. it was beautifully read and I felt the characters were so engaging. It will stay with me for many months to come.

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Fabulous

What a great story, the characters are so loveable and you find yourself holding your breath and wishing them well along their journey. Loved it.

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Wonderful riveting read

Couldn't stop listening I was enthralled from start to finish. Read perfectly by Ms Stephenson

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A joy.

I am going to miss Marjorie and Enid and their epic journey. It’s a book you want to last just as much as you want to find out what happens. Altogether a wonderful tale of friendship and perseverance beautifully narrated.

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Couldn't put the book down

A lovely story of trust, friendship and hope. I couldn't put the book down. This is my first Rachel Joyce read, but it won't be my last . Brilliantly read by Juliet Stevenson.

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