Miss Benson's Beetle: An uplifting story of female friendship against the odds

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Rachel Joyce: I realised early on that I wouldn't be able to go to New Caledonia. But I also knew that, since this was essentially an adventure story for women, I too had to go on an adventure as a writer. I had to take away the things I usually rely on - like landscapes that I know. So I did a lot of research - travel guides from the 50's, maps, journals etc - and then I challenged myself to use my imagination. I like making that leap. Despite the darkness, feelings of hopelessness, drudgery, and danger in this book, there is also a great deal of humor. But also, there is change and growth for Margery and Enid and Margery notes times when she or Enid become changed people, along this journey. They are deeply affected by the things that happened to them in the past, that happen to them during these months and that happen between them, as these two very unlikely companions become the best of friends. At first it was hard to like either person because Margery is so overwhelmingly lonely, hopeless and sad and Enid seemed to be a ditz on amphetamines. But as time goes on, we get to know these two women, their pasts, and the events in their lives affect them and I began to love both characters. The author did such a great job with all the characters in this book, giving even side characters personality and depth. Q: How would you say your writing has evolved in the years between Harold Fry and Miss Benson’s Beetle?

It's an adventure from start to finish with Margery's wishful grand plans, Enid's outlandishness, their highly unlikely friendship, and their combined preposterous misfortunes along the way . All of this rolls up into one of the most surprising and pleasurable reads for me this year! There’s zaniness but also poignancy and heartbreak during this journey, one that will make you laugh one minute, and break your heart the next. The only misstep for me was the character with PTSD. I don’t think he added anything of value to the story. This book takes place in post WWII Britain. Miss Benson is a large woman in her late forties with no sense of dress and is a bit of a loner. As the book begins she is teaching a class where a note is being passed around with a horrid caricature of her. This sends her over the edge to the point where she abruptly ends the class, swings by the teacher's lounge and steals another teacher's sturdy boots, then leaves the premises ignoring the protestations and threats of the teacher whose boots were stolen.

Rachel Joyce

THE AUTHOR: Rachel Joyce has written over 20 original afternoon plays for BBC Radio 4, and major adaptations for both the Classic Series, Woman's Hour and also a TV drama adaptation for BBC 2. In 2007 she won the Tinniswood Award for best radio play. She moved to writing after a twenty-year career in theatre and television, performing leading roles for the RSC, the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Court, and Cheek by Jowl, winning a Time Out Best Actress award and the Sony Silver. She lives with her family in Gloucestershire. Enid and Margery drive up north to the bungalow which will be their home during their stay. They start their expedition on the mountain. Their goal is to gradually cut a path to the top, where golden beetles can supposedly be found amongst some orchids. The expedition takes weeks. The two women bond over time. Enid confesses that her husband was gay. Margery tells her she was in love with an older man, Professor Smith, who broke her heart. Enid tells Margery that she is still pregnant. Margery tries to get her to rest but Enid refuses to stop looking for the beetle. They finally reach the top of the mountain, but no beetles are to be found. Vivid descriptions. I don’t have a high tolerance for chunky descriptions, but here, I ate it all up. I guess that’s because they weren’t really chunks; you put action and dialogue between the descriptions in just the right doses. She has decided now is the time to go on the quest for the golden beetle if she’s ever going to do it. She interviews for an assistant as she will need help with the work and needs someone who speaks French. Who she ultimately ends up with is far from what she had in mind! Central to the story is the unlikely friendship that forms: “The differences between them – all those things she’d once found so infuriating – she now accepted. Being Enid’s friend meant there were always going to be surprises” but also explored are grief and guilt, independence and self-worth. Once again, Rachel Joyce does not disappoint.

The story really starts in 1914 when her father is showing her a book called “Incredible Creatures”. There were so many curiosities in this book, Margery could not get enough of it. But the creature that she is most captivated with is the golden beetle of New Caledonia. The reader doesn’t really know if all of these creatures really exist, but in Margery’s mind she had already decided that someday she would see this golden beetle. In the meantime, they are being followed by a former soldier who endured the horrors of the Burmese march and imprisonment by the Japanese. He is broken physically, mentally, and spiritually. Having psychotic episodes, he presents a danger to himself and others. Also, in the storyline, are British wives leading frivolous lives in the capitol, one who is targeting our two explorers.Rachel Joyce: I was delighted when I heard she was reading it. Absolutely delighted. And she has such fun with it, I think. Rachel Joyce: I don't quite know where Enid came from in my head. But I now think she is the female creative spirit that we all need to tap into occasionally. I am glad you loved her. I love her too. This wonderful novel is set to publish on November 24, 2020 and I can’t wait to share it with EVERYONE! The year is 1950, and although World War II is over, London and many other major cities are still rationing goods and materials and rebuilding their shattered communities. Husbands, sons and brothers have died, and the women of the world are starting to come into their own, having taken up major roles in both war efforts and homes. One of these ladies is Margery Benson, a schoolteacher and devout spinster who was raised by her mother and religious aunts after her father died by suicide upon receiving the news that his sons had been killed at war. Now in her late 40s, Miss Benson is still ambling by, living in her deceased aunt’s cold, austere flat, surviving on scraps and teaching home economics to young women. A girl's own adventure...This is Rachel Joyce's best book yet ...Exciting, moving and full of unexpected turns.' THE TIMES