The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong | CBC Books - Action News
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The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong

A novel about a comics writer growing up in Vancouver's Chinatown in the 1980s.

A novel about a comics writer growing up in Vancouver's Chinatown in the 1980s

A red book cover with bold yellow text.

In a Chinatown housing project lives twelve-year-old Benny, his ailing grandmother, and his strange neighbor Constantine, a man who believes he's a reincarnated medieval samurai. When his grandmother is hospitalized, Benny manages to survive on his own until a social worker comes snooping. With no other family, he is reluctantly taken in by Constantine and soon, an unlikely bond forms between the two.

At least, that's what Yu, the narrator of the story, wants to write.

The creator of a bestselling comic book, Yu is struggling with continuing the poignant tale of Benny and Constantine and can't help but interject from the present day, slowly revealing a darker backstory. Can Yu confront the demons he's spent his adult life avoiding or risk his own life...and Benny's? (From Atria Books)

The Double Life of Benson Yu is onthe 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist.

Kevin Chong is a Vancouver-based writer and associate professor at the University of British Columbia. His other books include the nonfiction bookNorthern Dancerand fiction titles likeThe Plague andBeauty Plus Pity.

Interviews with Kevin Chong

Vancouver writer Kevin Chong is back with his seventh book. This time, hes written a metafiction about a comic book writer struggling to come to terms with a past trauma. He talks to Tom about the story, and what inspired him to write his darkest ever book.
Ryan B. Patrick interviews Kevin Chong about his new novel about a writer who loses control of his narrative.

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