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louise010's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs, Homophobia, and Ableism
accovino's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really didn't care for this. Every time it started to get charming it got frustrating again. I don't care for the way the author writes about being a "big" woman, I don't like the way she writes about PTSD or dyslexia, I absolutely don't like how she uses slurs, and I don't think "Well it's set in a different time" doesn't fly with me.
<Spoiler>
I 100% expected Enid to die in childbirth. She's not fleshed-out in any way, and it really feels as if the author thinks she's too damaged to thrive. Margery needed a reason to live, so Enid made her one. Margery is sad and broken and pathetic, until there's a baby, and then her life is changed forever! She never knew what love was! Can I tell you how much I hate that trope? Women only exist to have babies. Enid certainly did. Our lives are meaningless without babies. Even though the author repeatedly states that Margery's purpose is the beetle, the narrative shows us otherwise. And I honestly don't even want to touch the character of a damaged POW more monster than human, such a horrible damaging stereotype of PTSD and mental illness. And the ENDING. Good lord. The female entomologist at the museum knows that the systemic and interpersonal sexism she's experiencing is her own fault because she laughs sometimes?? And the argument that oh, that's the CHARACTER thinking that, the AUTHOR doesn't think that, I don't buy, because if that's the case, SHOW ME. Don't leave it as, "Lean in!" </Spoiler>
<Spoiler>
I 100% expected Enid to die in childbirth. She's not fleshed-out in any way, and it really feels as if the author thinks she's too damaged to thrive. Margery needed a reason to live, so Enid made her one. Margery is sad and broken and pathetic, until there's a baby, and then her life is changed forever! She never knew what love was! Can I tell you how much I hate that trope? Women only exist to have babies. Enid certainly did. Our lives are meaningless without babies. Even though the author repeatedly states that Margery's purpose is the beetle, the narrative shows us otherwise. And I honestly don't even want to touch the character of a damaged POW more monster than human, such a horrible damaging stereotype of PTSD and mental illness. And the ENDING. Good lord. The female entomologist at the museum knows that the systemic and interpersonal sexism she's experiencing is her own fault because she laughs sometimes?? And the argument that oh, that's the CHARACTER thinking that, the AUTHOR doesn't think that, I don't buy, because if that's the case, SHOW ME. Don't leave it as, "Lean in!" </Spoiler>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Vomit, Suicide, Stalking, Sexual violence, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racial slurs, Miscarriage, Infertility, Gun violence, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Xenophobia
bugthebard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Miscarriage, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racial slurs
hollyd19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Miss Benson’s Beetle follows Margery Benson, a middle-aged domestic science teacher in post-war Britain. After a mental break loses her her job in one dramatic day, she decides to throw caution to the wind and go on an expedition to New Caledonia in search of a beetle she has been infatuated with her whole life. She puts a call out for an assistant, and ends up with a hot mess of a woman, Enid Pretty, accompanying her on her adventure.
Y’all, I wanted to love this book. It seemed charming and fun and has a totally-up-my-alley premise. But on the whole, I was pretty disappointed.
First of all, this book has a lot more heavy themes than I expected given the synopsis and the various endorsements (words like “charming,” “brilliant,” and “marvelous”). I’ll put some content warnings at the bottom. Secondly, the character development felt spasmodic and inconsistent. Finally, there is a character called Mundic who I felt was an awkward, possibly even offensive, attempt at incorporating post-war PTSD into the narrative. Most of the chapters from his perspective left me unsettled and a little confused.
Admittedly, I liked the second half better than the first. The two women found a bit more of a rhythm and their relationship took on a more believable tenor. That said, I cannot say I found it to be a satisfying to read.
Y’all, I wanted to love this book. It seemed charming and fun and has a totally-up-my-alley premise. But on the whole, I was pretty disappointed.
First of all, this book has a lot more heavy themes than I expected given the synopsis and the various endorsements (words like “charming,” “brilliant,” and “marvelous”). I’ll put some content warnings at the bottom. Secondly, the character development felt spasmodic and inconsistent. Finally, there is a character called Mundic who I felt was an awkward, possibly even offensive, attempt at incorporating post-war PTSD into the narrative. Most of the chapters from his perspective left me unsettled and a little confused.
Admittedly, I liked the second half better than the first. The two women found a bit more of a rhythm and their relationship took on a more believable tenor. That said, I cannot say I found it to be a satisfying to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Self harm, Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, and Infertility
isis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a wonderful story of an unexpected, unconditional female friendship, and self-discovery. I had no idea what to expect from this book, but what I got was a longing for a friendship such as these two women had. It also had me looking at myself and what I truly want out of life. I felt a lot of feelings and did a lot of soul searching while reading Miss Benson's Beetle, and for me, that equates to a 5 star read.
Margery and Enid are both such well-developed characters, both with their own amusing eccentricities. I’m always a fan of The Odd Couple type friendships, and that’s exactly what this is. The impact they made on each other's lives were invaluable, but I especially enjoyed watching Margery become a totally different person by the end of the story.
I felt this story is a perfect blend of character and plot driven with good medium pacing. Rachel Joyce not only had me falling for Margery and Enid, but also for the setting of New Caledonia. She wrote so vividly of the area that I felt as if I had visited the area myself.
I think this is a great choice for anyone who enjoys adventure/explorer stories, unlikely/odd couple friendships, and well-developed characters.
CW: Suicide, miscarriage, POW torture, racial slurs, domestic violence, body shaming,
Margery and Enid are both such well-developed characters, both with their own amusing eccentricities. I’m always a fan of The Odd Couple type friendships, and that’s exactly what this is. The impact they made on each other's lives were invaluable, but I especially enjoyed watching Margery become a totally different person by the end of the story.
I felt this story is a perfect blend of character and plot driven with good medium pacing. Rachel Joyce not only had me falling for Margery and Enid, but also for the setting of New Caledonia. She wrote so vividly of the area that I felt as if I had visited the area myself.
I think this is a great choice for anyone who enjoys adventure/explorer stories, unlikely/odd couple friendships, and well-developed characters.
CW: Suicide, miscarriage, POW torture, racial slurs, domestic violence, body shaming,
Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press for the review copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Suicide, and Torture
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
alicea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
From the blurb, I was expecting a story of an unlikely female friendship that centered on a topic not often explored in fiction: entomology. And while that is most certainly the main theme of this book it is much more multifaceted than that.
Margery Benson at one time in her life was determined to find a gold beetle that had never been officially catalogued or "discovered". But years pass and her dream remains unfulfilled. When she finally works up the courage to make the trip to the other side of the world she advertises for an assistant which is where Enid Pretty enters the story. From the outset, it seems like this partnership is doomed to fail and that's before we realize there's terrible secrets on both sides. It's like the Odd Couple on steroids.
So really this is a mystery thriller and historical literary fiction all rolled into one. And the incredibly short chapters make you feel like you're barrelling right along with these dynamic ladies. I don't want to say any more because I'd like you to experience it as I did: a rollicking ride with unexpected twists and turns. Get ready!
Margery Benson at one time in her life was determined to find a gold beetle that had never been officially catalogued or "discovered". But years pass and her dream remains unfulfilled. When she finally works up the courage to make the trip to the other side of the world she advertises for an assistant which is where Enid Pretty enters the story. From the outset, it seems like this partnership is doomed to fail and that's before we realize there's terrible secrets on both sides. It's like the Odd Couple on steroids.
So really this is a mystery thriller and historical literary fiction all rolled into one. And the incredibly short chapters make you feel like you're barrelling right along with these dynamic ladies. I don't want to say any more because I'd like you to experience it as I did: a rollicking ride with unexpected twists and turns. Get ready!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Confinement, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide, Medical content, and Miscarriage
Minor: Animal death
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