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condor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
Very entertaining, got me laughing out loud at times and almost shed a tear at others. It's a real hommage to true friendships albeit an unlikely one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism and Suicide
alba_marie's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I enjoyed this foray into the South Pacific and it was nice to read about the adventures of women, when it is so often men who get to go on adventure.
But the same with Joyce's other novel, Harold Fry, there's something about her writing style that just doesn't work for me. As a reader, I don't feel completely immersed in the story; there's a simplicity to it that keeps me feeling distant and unable to dig deep into the book.
And I wasn't really a fan of the last 100 pages. I thought the first third was a bit too slow, the last third was very far fetched and the middle third was the bit that was most interesting because that's when they were actually on thier expedition adventure.
But the same with Joyce's other novel, Harold Fry, there's something about her writing style that just doesn't work for me. As a reader, I don't feel completely immersed in the story; there's a simplicity to it that keeps me feeling distant and unable to dig deep into the book.
And I wasn't really a fan of the last 100 pages. I thought the first third was a bit too slow, the last third was very far fetched and the middle third was the bit that was most interesting because that's when they were actually on thier expedition adventure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
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: Animal death, Body shaming, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, and Classism
emallovesreading's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Stalking
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Sexism, Suicide, Pregnancy, and War
bookstolivewith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce follows the story of Margery Benson as she sets out to do what no one ever thought she would: find the Golden Beetle of New Caledonia. Encountering a new setback in every direction, she is accompanied by Enid Pretty, who, despite her bright personality, has a “pretty” big secret. So will they find the beetle, or was this all just too much for Margery to handle? (TW: suicide, miscarriage, death, stalking & PTSD.)
I was not initially loving this one and it took me a while to get into. However, I ended up really enjoying the overall story because of how it addresses (Western) womanhood — its assumptions and expectations vs its realities and desires, for the most part. This book is populated with different “types” of women and you really feel for most of them, even when they do something horrible. Even the men in this book are affected by this expected role of (British or Western) womanhood, and the story shows how men are done a disservice by expected gender roles, especially in the wake of a traumatic world war.
It’s not the best book I’ve ever read but it is totally different from what I expected and different from other things I’ve been reading lately. It’s a love story between self and others, as well as a story about women learning to love other women, forgiving their transgressions and the strength women have to move forward (maybe juxtaposed against men who are stuck in the past? I don’t know, that may be too analytical).
If you’re looking for something different that’s also a bit of a woman empowerment book, this might be for you! I think this is probably also a great book for book clubs, as there’s lots to discuss. Miss Benson’s Beetle out November 3rd (but it’ll still be there post-election)!
I was not initially loving this one and it took me a while to get into. However, I ended up really enjoying the overall story because of how it addresses (Western) womanhood — its assumptions and expectations vs its realities and desires, for the most part. This book is populated with different “types” of women and you really feel for most of them, even when they do something horrible. Even the men in this book are affected by this expected role of (British or Western) womanhood, and the story shows how men are done a disservice by expected gender roles, especially in the wake of a traumatic world war.
It’s not the best book I’ve ever read but it is totally different from what I expected and different from other things I’ve been reading lately. It’s a love story between self and others, as well as a story about women learning to love other women, forgiving their transgressions and the strength women have to move forward (maybe juxtaposed against men who are stuck in the past? I don’t know, that may be too analytical).
If you’re looking for something different that’s also a bit of a woman empowerment book, this might be for you! I think this is probably also a great book for book clubs, as there’s lots to discuss. Miss Benson’s Beetle out November 3rd (but it’ll still be there post-election)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, and Suicide
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
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