Hardback: 388 pages
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Doubleday 2020
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentence: When Margery was ten, she fell in love with a beetle.
Setting: New Caledonia
Favourite Quote: “You might travel to the other side of the world, but in the end it made no difference: whatever devastating unhappiness was inside you would come too.”
Review Quote: 'A girl's own adventure...This is Rachel Joyce's best book yet ...Exciting, moving and full of unexpected turns.' THE TIMES
My Opinion: Having just read a Rachel Joyce novel and also having this one on my TBR shelf made me decide to read it straight away, having enjoyed Maureen Fry Pleased I did as the perceptive and quirky story line kept me throughly entertained over the few days it took me to read.
An expedition such as the one Margery Benson is planning is not something to tackle alone, so she decides to find an assistant to travel with her. Misfortune has it that she ends up with the most unlikely of choice, Enid Pretty. Against all odds this pair become friends, eventually but as they set off on this improbable adventure set in the 1950's you cannot but wonder how this is ever going to work.
With Rachel Joyce's talent for characterisation and her wonderful descriptions of the ladies adventures you cannot fail to be captivated. Fascinating to learn something about entomology and the inhospitable environment of New Caledonia. Overall highly recommended as another fabulous read from this talented author.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
She's going too far to go it alone.
It is 1950. London is still reeling from World War II, and Margery Benson, a schoolteacher and spinster, is trying to get through life, surviving on scraps. One day, she reaches her breaking point, abandoning her job and small existence to set out on an expedition to the other side of the world in search of her childhood obsession: an insect that may or may not exist--the golden beetle of New Caledonia. When she advertises for an assistant to accompany her, the woman she ends up with is the last person she had in mind. Fun-loving Enid Pretty in her tight-fitting pink suit and pom-pom sandals seems to attract trouble wherever she goes. But together these two British women find themselves drawn into a cross-ocean adventure that exceeds all expectations and delivers something neither of them expected to find: the transformative power of friendship.
Author Profile:
Courtesy of Goodreads
Rachel Joyce was born in London in 1962. She has written over 20 original afternoon plays for BBC Radio 4, and major adaptations for both the Classic Series, Woman's Hour and also a TV drama adaptation for BBC 2. In 2007 she won the Tinniswood Award for best radio play. She moved to writing after a twenty-year career in theatre and television, performing leading roles for the RSC, the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Court, and Cheek by Jowl, winning a Time Out Best Actress award and the Sony Silver.
For a full profile visit her Website
Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:
Goodreads Profile Rachel Joyce - Official Website Instagram Profile
No comments:
Post a Comment
I indulge my love of books with this blog and it makes it all worthwhile when you leave comments. I really am interested in what you think so do let me know. I have decided as the nature of this review blog makes for conversation in the comments, just to reply here and not individually, so please subscribe to comments or call back again to stay in the conversation. Thankyou for your continued support.