From Rachel Joyce, the bestselling author of THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, comes MISS BENSON’S BEETLE, a hope-filled and joyful story about two unlikely women on the journey of a lifetime.

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.

One day, a vicious note mocking a plump, dowdy version of Miss Benson dubbed the “Virgin Margery” goes around her classroom, leaving her shocked and hurt. But what bothers her the most is not the depiction of her weight, or the pun about her spinsterhood, but the fact that she can find nothing untrue in the picture. Not only has she let herself go, she has ended up at a dead-end job that she doesn’t even care about. It is then that she recalls her childhood dream of being the first person to find the Golden Beetle of New Caledonia. The Golden Beetle has been referenced in the writings of Darwin and other explorers, but no one has properly “found it” --- that is, located and preserved specimens and delivered them to the Natural History Museum to be described and given its Latin name. It is then that Miss Benson’s life truly begins.

"If you’ve been longing for a book about fully realized women helping one another grow through kindness and acceptance, this 'happy' book with a lot of depth is exactly what you need."

Miss Benson starts by posting an ad in the local paper to find an assistant to accompany her on the 10,000–mile journey to New Caledonia. It is answered by three normal people and a woman named Enid Pretty who cannot spell. Ignoring the latter, she meets with the other applicants and begins her own paperwork and packing for the trip. Unfortunately for Miss Benson, they are all a bit off, especially Mr. Mundic, a paranoid and cryptic POW who seems to be set on guns and protection and not the gentle but studious hunt for a mysterious beetle. After a series of stops and starts, Miss Benson ends up offering Enid the job sight unseen. And what a sight she is.

Enid is a diminutive blonde bombshell with the lungs of an opera singer and the charm of a Victorian rake. From the moment they meet --- with Miss Benson donning her version of a safari suit and Enid wearing a tight pink dress --- the latter does not stop talking. Miss Benson is as put off by her new assistant as she is intrigued: Who is this woman, and why would she ever want to travel the world for a beetle? Miss Benson is too afraid to ask, but it is clear that both women have their own reasons for wanting to leave the country.

As the two unlikely companions begin the five-week journey to Australia, they strike up a tenuous friendship, bolstered by Enid’s careful nursing of Miss Benson when she falls deathly ill with seasickness. They face numerous hilarious obstacles, including language barriers, passport fraud and plain incompatibility, but slowly Miss Benson starts to realize that Enid might be the best friend she ever had. Unbeknownst to the oddest couple in New Caledonia is the third member of their group, Mr. Mundic, who is positive that he was meant to be Miss Benson’s assistant and is dead set on getting rid of Enid.

MISS BENSON’S BEETLE is hopeful and heartwarming, but it is an equally atmospheric and vibrant read that touches on not only the results of war, but also the joy of travel and the excitement of discovery. Joyce effortlessly weaves feelings of hopelessness, danger and misadventure with themes of resilience and endurance, resulting in a completely captivating and absorbing novel. Though the premise feels familiar in some ways, I loved that the book was about two women striking out on their own, and not about chasing men or pursuing typically women-filled roles. Miss Benson’s role as a spinster makes her unique enough, but her passion for finding the Golden Beetle fills even airheaded Enid with warmth and envy, and adds an interesting element of science and history to the story.

Margery and Enid are absolutely unforgettable, and the way that Joyce pushes each of them into growth and change is equal parts touching and laugh-out-loud funny. I cannot begin to count the number of times I found myself giggling at either the situation --- like Miss Benson taking her passport portrait with another woman in the booth --- or the dialogue, like Enid saying that it’s no wonder a flightless bird is native to only one country (how would it get anywhere else?). Although Miss Benson is our protagonist, Enid is such a perfect foil that she practically leaps off the page in every scene, and the ways in which she encourages Miss Benson to do the same are masterful. Joyce pays careful attention to detail and pacing so that their development feels natural and organic.

If you’ve been longing for a book about fully realized women helping one another grow through kindness and acceptance, this “happy” book with a lot of depth is exactly what you need. Both women (and Mr. Mundic) have been influenced and informed by past traumas, and though their friendship feels inevitable, the journey there is an absolute riot.

Perfect for readers of Joyce’s previous works and MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND, this delightful mix of sweet and witty --- with just a hint of mystery --- will sweep readers off their feet.