Rachel Joyce in conversation with Hannah Beckerman

Join us for a live steam event with bestselling author Rachel Joyce, as she discusses her new novel ‘Miss Benson’s Beetle’

‘A beautiful portrayal of female friendship in all its frailties,
contradictions and strengths’ RAYNOR WINN

‘The perfect escape novel for our troubled times’ PATRICK GALE

It is 1950. In a devastating moment of clarity, Margery Benson abandons her dead-end job and advertises for an assistant to accompany her on an expedition. She is going to travel to the other side of the world to search for a beetle that may or may not exist.

Enid Pretty, in her unlikely pink travel suit, is not the companion Margery had in mind. And yet together they will be drawn into an adventure that will exceed every expectation. They will risk everything, break all the rules, and at the top of a red mountain, discover their best selves.

This is a story that is less about what can be found than the belief it might be found; it is an intoxicating adventure story but it is also about what it means to be a woman and a tender exploration of a friendship that defies all boundaries.

Rachel Joyce is the author of the Sunday Times and international bestsellers The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Perfect, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, The Music Shop and a collection of interlinked short stories, A Snow Garden & Other Stories. Rachel has also written over twenty original afternoon plays and adaptations of the classics for BBC Radio 4, including all the Bronte novels. She moved to writing after a long career as an actor, performing leading roles for the RSC, the National Theatre and Cheek by Jowl. She lives with her family in Gloucestershire.

Hannah Beckerman is an author, journalist and broadcaster. She is a freelance features writer and book critic for The Observer and The FT Weekend Magazine. Hannah regularly chairs panels, discussions and interviews at literary festivals and publishing events throughout the UK.

Books will be ready for collection from the 27th July from either Chorleywood or Gerrards Cross Bookshop. If you have opted for home delivery (UK only), your book will be dispatched by Friday 24th July. Please note that for tickets booked after the 24th July, we are unable to guarantee home delivery of the book in time for the event.

The link to access the live stream will be emailed 48hrs prior to the event.