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rei_reads's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Violence, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Grief
Minor: Transphobia
serendipitysbooks's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I went into The Double Life of Benson Yu blind, knowing nothing bar the fact that it had been longlisted for the Giller Prize. That made for a really great reading experience, especially in the first part as I noted all sorts of interesting things about the storytelling, such as the way the author broke the fourth wall and directly addressed the reader, commenting on Benny’s story and talking about his own creative process. By the second part of the story it became clear exactly what was going on and I was impressed with the storytelling all over again, just for reasons that were different from what I first thought.
I don’t want to say too much more lest I spoil anyone’s reading experience. The novel is very meta, but also accessible once you realise the story that you are reading isn’t necessarily the story you thought you were reading. It explores some tough topics, more so than the cover might lead the reader to expect, but it does so in a way doesn’t feel too heavy while still treating them with the gravitas they deserve. Although I occasionally felt a little disoriented I really appreciated this book for the fresh approach it offers in exploring some challenging topics.
I don’t want to say too much more lest I spoil anyone’s reading experience. The novel is very meta, but also accessible once you realise the story that you are reading isn’t necessarily the story you thought you were reading. It explores some tough topics, more so than the cover might lead the reader to expect, but it does so in a way doesn’t feel too heavy while still treating them with the gravitas they deserve. Although I occasionally felt a little disoriented I really appreciated this book for the fresh approach it offers in exploring some challenging topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
savvylit's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Double Life of Benson Yu is a heavy metafictional novel that grapples with abuse, grief, trauma, and depression. At first, readers are immersed in Benson's fictionalized early life. However, Benson's real adult life and feelings begin to slowly creep in and overpower his reframed narrative. Adult Benson continuously struggles to acknowledge what really happened between himself and his mentor, C. Reimagining his younger self forces Benson to think of events that he had suppressed, and his life begins to crash down around him.
Ultimately, The Double Life of Benson Yu is an empathetic and damning look at the way unacknowledged trauma can shape individual lives. Chong is incredibly talented at layered and complex characterization. I often found myself consistently devastated by both young/fictional Benson and real/older Benson as they each experienced a myriad of dark moments throughout the story. This book reminds readers that sometimes life can be unjustifiably cruel. But don't let that keep you from reading it - just be sure to take your time with some of the more difficult subject matter.
Many thanks to @atriabooks @tlcbooktours & @tlcdiversity for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ultimately, The Double Life of Benson Yu is an empathetic and damning look at the way unacknowledged trauma can shape individual lives. Chong is incredibly talented at layered and complex characterization. I often found myself consistently devastated by both young/fictional Benson and real/older Benson as they each experienced a myriad of dark moments throughout the story. This book reminds readers that sometimes life can be unjustifiably cruel. But don't let that keep you from reading it - just be sure to take your time with some of the more difficult subject matter.
Many thanks to @atriabooks @tlcbooktours & @tlcdiversity for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Grief, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Cancer, Death, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, and Adult/minor relationship
tenderbench's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, and Pedophilia
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