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betherinahq's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
I loved this book! The two main characters were so loveable and their unlikely friendship was just so wonderful to witness developing over the pages.
I love how Rachel Joyce has this way of writing such uplifting fiction without being too twee or trite. I think it’s because the main characters, while loveable, carry a sadness with them that we all do with every life experience we unlock.
Like Harold Fry, she uses the “journey” style story to get these two women, who were born in an era where women didn’t travel the world in search for rare beetles, to reconcile their pasts and become empowered.
A really good read!
I love how Rachel Joyce has this way of writing such uplifting fiction without being too twee or trite. I think it’s because the main characters, while loveable, carry a sadness with them that we all do with every life experience we unlock.
Like Harold Fry, she uses the “journey” style story to get these two women, who were born in an era where women didn’t travel the world in search for rare beetles, to reconcile their pasts and become empowered.
A really good read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Torture, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, War, Classism, Colonisation, and Animal death
marisahhh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Suicide attempt, Suicide, War, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was an absolutely charming book, captivating and funny, with compelling characters and a very serious undertone to the humor. I enjoyed this book SO much and I’m grateful to a friend for suggesting it.
At first both women are caricatures, both completely wacky in their own, very different ways. As we learn more of the back story of Margery and Enid, they become sympathetic characters, each having desperation and tragedy in their lives. Their friendship forms gradually as each comes to rely on the other, and they see the real person beneath each other’s shell.
This novel blends madcap adventure with a love story of friendship, and I loved it. One caveat: I felt the subplot of Mr Mundic was a distraction from the real story of Margery and Enid. He deserves a book all to himself.
At first both women are caricatures, both completely wacky in their own, very different ways. As we learn more of the back story of Margery and Enid, they become sympathetic characters, each having desperation and tragedy in their lives. Their friendship forms gradually as each comes to rely on the other, and they see the real person beneath each other’s shell.
This novel blends madcap adventure with a love story of friendship, and I loved it. One caveat: I felt the subplot of Mr Mundic was a distraction from the real story of Margery and Enid. He deserves a book all to himself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Torture, War, Animal death, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Vomit, Blood, Body shaming, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Sexism, Classism, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Stalking
thatokiebird's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Miss Benson's Beetle is a historical fiction novel by Rachel Joyce which follows the adventure of two polar-opposite women, Miss Benson and Miss Pretty, who find themselves together traveling "halfway across the world" in search of a golden beetle that does not yet exist. I enjoy Rachel Joyce's writing immensely, and this book is high up there in her strongest works.
Throughout the book, we delve into the world of entomology, 1950's London and post-war culture, stalking and crime, and above all the friendship between two women. The fact that this book was not a love story but instead based its main relationship on a friendship makes it so intriguing and strong. We listened to the audiobook version narrated by Juliet Stevenson and she did a stellar job at really embodying each individual character - just as well as Rachel Joyce did at writing their individual voices.
Personally I could have done without the subplot of the POW character dealing with all-consuming inner demons while stalking Miss Benson to her destination. It all just seemed like a fairly unnecessary way to add a thriller element to the journey. Especially considering how the ending transpired.
Throughout the book, we delve into the world of entomology, 1950's London and post-war culture, stalking and crime, and above all the friendship between two women. The fact that this book was not a love story but instead based its main relationship on a friendship makes it so intriguing and strong. We listened to the audiobook version narrated by Juliet Stevenson and she did a stellar job at really embodying each individual character - just as well as Rachel Joyce did at writing their individual voices.
Personally I could have done without the subplot of the POW character dealing with all-consuming inner demons while stalking Miss Benson to her destination. It all just seemed like a fairly unnecessary way to add a thriller element to the journey. Especially considering how the ending transpired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Miscarriage, Murder, Stalking, Death of parent, and Mental illness
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
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