Listen free for 30 days

  • Miss Benson's Beetle

  • Written by: Rachel Joyce
  • Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
  • Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (127 ratings)

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 + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Miss Benson's Beetle cover art

Miss Benson's Beetle

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

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $32.00

Buy Now for $32.00

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

What the critics say

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
    97
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    100
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    75
  • 4 Stars
    32
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

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

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

Empowering

Such a beautiful story of courage, friendship and emancipation! Gift this to a friend! She uplifting!

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 treat!

I absolutely loved this book. It made me laugh out loud, and it made me cry. If a book doesn’t capture my imagination almost immediately I usually don’t persevere. But that was never going to be a problem with Miss Benson’s Beetle. From the opening lines, to the image I was left with on the last page, it made me want to gobble it up...but not want to let it go. A great read. Thank you Rachel Joyce..and Audible Canada.

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

Excellent

A very enjoyable story filled with life lessons. A must for everyone, especially women to read.

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
    4 out of 5 stars

Enduring

A story of friendship and life long bonds. Full of endearing moments, life lessons and life realities that can make or break a person. Healing. It’s a story that is enjoyable and yet the characters have more effect on you that you don’t even realize till the last page is turned.

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

Loved the characters

This is a delightful reàd, a Thelma and Louise type adventure. Insightful, humerous, thought provoking,

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • LB
  • 2022-03-10

Sweet story

A bit slow in the middle but stick with it. A sweet story with endearing characters, much like Harold Fry by the same author.

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

Delightful Book

Thoroughly enjoyed this story and narration. The writing was both playful and intense. The characters indelibly inked in my mind. Thanks 🙏🏽

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

Fantastic!!

One of the best books I have listened to in ages!! Well written and fantastic narration…I didn’t want it to end!

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

Now in my top ten!

I simply loved this book and the reader’s performance. I laughed. I cried. I did not want the book to end. I have become a Rachel Joyce fan.

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

New vacation destination

What a great story! I laughed and I cried. I couldn't help but cheer on this unlikely duo in their adventures, tragedies and triumphs. what a ride. and now I am planning a vacation to New Caledonia.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!