A review by serendipitysbooks
The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong

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. 
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