Title- Miss Benson's Beetle
Author- Rachel Joyce
Publisher- Black Swan
Pages- 389
Rating- 4/5
Summary- Margery Benson was only ten years old when her father had shown her a picture of "The Golden Beetle of New Caledonia" which may or may not exist. On that day Margery had fallen in love with beetles. After that day she went out looking for them all the time, drew their pictures, kept them in jars and collected information about them.Then somehow she lost track and took a job as a cookery teacher in a school. It is early September in 1950, when a particular incident makes her to rethink about her life's purpose. She abandons her job and decides to go on an expedition to New Caledonia in search of the golden beetle. When she advertises for an assistant, she has to hire fun-loving Enid Pretty who is not the kind Margery had in mind, both of them are poles apart in every way. However the two of them set off in a journey to the other part of the world to break every barrier with the magic of friendship which transforms them in every way.
Review- It is a captivating story about the power of friendship. It teaches us that no matter how impossible our ambition may seem to be we should be determined to give it a try. It also persuades women to pursue their vocation instead of spending their lives fulfilling other people's dreams. The author's sense of humour can make you laugh your lungs out. The aftermath of the two World Wars has been perfectly depicted.
Margery is a spinster and school teacher who was raised by her aunts. She has no sense of style and is made fun of by people. She is serious and awkward. Enid on the other hand is jolly, carefree and believes in living life king size. She wears bright dresses, heavy make up and wherever she goes she attracts attention. However, they have one thing in common, they did not get any love or compassion throughout their lives. So when they get this from each other, the result is the promise of friendship which has the capacity to defy every norm and make the unfeasible, feasible.
It is a book which I have thoroughly enjoyed. It is a must read for every woman who is still in doubt to come out of her comfort zone to give herself a second chance. It is also perfect for those seeking adventure.
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