In 1950s London, Margery Benson, a lonely domestic science teacher, abandons her stifling life to find a mythical golden beetle on the island of New Caledonia. She hires Enid Pretty, a flamboyant woman in pink sandals with a mysterious past, as her assistant. Together, they travel across oceans, navigating physical hardships, societal judgment, and personal trauma. Their expedition evolves from a scientific search for an insect into a desperate struggle for survival against rugged terrain and a menacing stalker who follows them from England.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on female friendship and unconventional characters will find this story effective. It appeals to those interested in amateur natural history and the logistical realities of mid-century travel. The book provides a look at how social outcasts build autonomy outside of traditional domestic roles. Readers finish the story with a clear picture of the psychological effects of war on the British middle class and the technical difficulties of conducting scientific fieldwork in a remote, mountainous wilderness.
Balanced in tone; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
