Reviewed by: Aria
Genre: Humour, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5
Royce (aka Rolly) is having a bad year. Not only has his mother dragged him across the country in order to be close to her aged father Arthur, a celebrated cellist, but he's also recovering from mono. When he convinces his mother to let him finish the school year by correspondence, he's left feeling isolated and lonely, and spends his time watching TV and plotting ways to get back to his friends in Nova Scotia. But before his plans can be implemented, his grandfather has a small stroke. Suddenly Arthur needs more care than Royce's mother can provide and, after a couple of hired care aides quit, Royce is pressed into service.Looking after a ninety-five-year-old--especially one as cantankerous, crafty and stubborn as Arthur--is a challenge. But as Royce gets to know the eccentric old man--who loves the Pussycat Dolls, hates Anderson Cooper and never listens to the kind of music that made him famous--he gradually comes to appreciate that his grandfather's life still has meaning. Even if Arthur himself seems to want it to end.
I absolutely loved Death Benefits! I cannot say enough great things about it. It was hilarious, sweet, with great characters, while still having so much meaning and depth.
The characters I found were extremely well-rounded. Royce was an amazing protagonist and had so many emotions and feelings that felt extremely real and three-dimensional. I loved Arthur's witty dialogue and it continued to amaze me that these two characters could be so different and yet really have a bond.
Relationships were very important in the story. I found that the author definitely showed that relationship between Royce and Arthur and how important it was. I found that the story progressed and there was never a dull moment. I found a little bit of slowness, but the story immediately picked up and I couldn't put it down.
I liked that the author showed that some characters were different on the surface that actually underneath. The characters were so different inside than they really were on the outside, and how they changed and progressed throughout.
The pacing of the novel was good. I was glad that the author took the time to build relationships and show the characters' feeling and thoughts towards each other. I felt that Royce really grew up in the novel and it was easy to see the relationships between each of the characters, and that he realized a lot of things along the way.
The storyline was extremely well-crafted and balanced. I was amazed to see that the witty dialogue, hilarious moments, and the sweet and endearing moments all came together into a really amazing story.
Likes: well-crafted, Royce, Dani, Arthur, Royce's mother, Coralee, different components, witty dialogue, showing the reasons behind decisons, balanced story, the relationships between the characters, the depths of the characters
Dislikes: a little bit of slowness
*Note: This book contains mature themes such as some sexual content and language.
Genre: Humour, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5
Royce (aka Rolly) is having a bad year. Not only has his mother dragged him across the country in order to be close to her aged father Arthur, a celebrated cellist, but he's also recovering from mono. When he convinces his mother to let him finish the school year by correspondence, he's left feeling isolated and lonely, and spends his time watching TV and plotting ways to get back to his friends in Nova Scotia. But before his plans can be implemented, his grandfather has a small stroke. Suddenly Arthur needs more care than Royce's mother can provide and, after a couple of hired care aides quit, Royce is pressed into service.Looking after a ninety-five-year-old--especially one as cantankerous, crafty and stubborn as Arthur--is a challenge. But as Royce gets to know the eccentric old man--who loves the Pussycat Dolls, hates Anderson Cooper and never listens to the kind of music that made him famous--he gradually comes to appreciate that his grandfather's life still has meaning. Even if Arthur himself seems to want it to end.
I absolutely loved Death Benefits! I cannot say enough great things about it. It was hilarious, sweet, with great characters, while still having so much meaning and depth.
The characters I found were extremely well-rounded. Royce was an amazing protagonist and had so many emotions and feelings that felt extremely real and three-dimensional. I loved Arthur's witty dialogue and it continued to amaze me that these two characters could be so different and yet really have a bond.
Relationships were very important in the story. I found that the author definitely showed that relationship between Royce and Arthur and how important it was. I found that the story progressed and there was never a dull moment. I found a little bit of slowness, but the story immediately picked up and I couldn't put it down.
I liked that the author showed that some characters were different on the surface that actually underneath. The characters were so different inside than they really were on the outside, and how they changed and progressed throughout.
The pacing of the novel was good. I was glad that the author took the time to build relationships and show the characters' feeling and thoughts towards each other. I felt that Royce really grew up in the novel and it was easy to see the relationships between each of the characters, and that he realized a lot of things along the way.
The storyline was extremely well-crafted and balanced. I was amazed to see that the witty dialogue, hilarious moments, and the sweet and endearing moments all came together into a really amazing story.
Likes: well-crafted, Royce, Dani, Arthur, Royce's mother, Coralee, different components, witty dialogue, showing the reasons behind decisons, balanced story, the relationships between the characters, the depths of the characters
Dislikes: a little bit of slowness
*Note: This book contains mature themes such as some sexual content and language.