Miss Benson's Beetle

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of mental illness

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How does this novel compare to the author’s earlier works, such as The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry? Has her style changed or evolved over the years? If you have not read Joyce’s other novels, are you interested in doing so?

2. What did Margery and Enid learn from each other? Did you learn anything from either (or both) of these characters?

3. Which character did you identify with most? Did this change at any point over the course of the novel?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Strong friendship is at the heart of the novel. Does the relationship between Margery and Enid remind you of any friendships or familial relationships in your own life? What do you think makes for an enduring friendship?

2. Enid talks about the importance of a “vocation,” or guiding purpose. Do you have a vocation in life? How does your journey to enacting it compare with those of the characters?

3. Both Enid and Margery express themselves through their clothing.