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4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
September 11 for the gay soul Oct 15, 2009
By Ross Porter
"historical tourguide"
Ben Schmidt feels lousy on one unusually warm morning in San Francisco. In a couple pages I feel that way too, since it's September 11 2001 and Ben's carefully balanced world of filmmaking, day job, relationship, and extracurricular sex has suddenly collapsed. While friends and co-workers deal with the horror of the Twin Towers, Ben acquires a special private horror of his own: the doctor phones to say he could have prostate cancer. From there, I was hooked. Ben's unique character unfolds mercilessly in the pages to follow: his determination (to stay sexy); his ingenious and persistent denial; the twin hauntings of addiction and regret. I took it one page at a time, relishing the plot twists and recognizing my own life time and again. You don't have to be gay to love this book, but it helps. Lifting the story above the gritty details of sex and prostate cancer (sometimes together!) is the creativity, insight, and desperation of a middle-aged man who's about to lose it all much more quickly than he ever imagined. I hope Jim Arnold keeps writing!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A story for everyone Sep 26, 2009
By Moggyfan
Although I am a heterosexual woman, I loved Benediction and read it in just two sittings--the story, while it centers on the experiences of a gay man in San Francisco, is a universal one. The main character Ben struggles to find meaning in his life, his work and his relationships--pretty much the same things we all do, gay and straight alike, as we navigate the murky waters of the human condition. But soon Ben finds himself also facing his own mortality, diagnosed with prostate cancer in early middle age.
For me, this was when the novel really found its footing and then I couldn't put it down. All the ups and downs of Ben's life are suddenly thrown into high relief, and the sharply-written novel really takes off. Ben starts as an engaging enough character but I was drawn deeper and deeper into his life as the novel progressed. The plot is absorbing, but it is the characters--Ben, his family, friends, and dearly-departed friends of all species--that kept me reading to the satisfying conclusion.
This is a terrific novel, funny and tragic by turns, and I will be looking forward to Jim Arnold's next book!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
to hell and back Jan 03, 2010
By Victor J. Banis
"Victor J. Banis"
In all honesty, I am really not the best reader to review Benediction because it is exactly the kind of read I try to avoid. This has nothing at all to do with the merits or failings of the book, and everything to do with my own personal biases. I don't care for stories of catastrophic and/or terminal illness. For instance, I avoid AIDS novels, for reasons too complicated to get into here; and, really, this is an AIDS novel in which AIDS has been switched to prostate cancer.
So, in established AIDS novel fashion, we follow the fortunes of Ben Schmidt from early detection through the various stages of the illness and its treatment, with each step described in earnest, often clinical, detail. Men tend to not talk about prostate problems. It's probably a good thing for some to experience this with Ben. There's scarcely anything left unsaid.
So, why, you're wondering, am I writing about a book I didn't like--except, that I did, putting my personal preferences aside, and for what it is. And what it is, for the most part, is very well written
The author is at his best in describing his settings, and the armchair traveler gets a lot for his ticket: an often lyrical San Francisco; raunchy New York club scenes; tacky giddy West Hollywood; Sydney, from sex dens to sand dunes; even Turin.
The plot--well, the illness mostly dominates that, though there is an off again on again relationship with the hunk next door; ditto with an internet trick; ditto the sexy doctor, and...hmm, might as well say it, Ben Schmidt is a slut. Also, once he falls off the AA wagon, a heavy duty lush and druggie.
Which brings up characterization. The people in the book are mostly well drawn, if mostly not very sympathetic. There just isn't anyone to root for. Certainly not poor Ben, who seems to have no fun at all, not even when he's having--often--sex. But I did come to admire him, and he has the good sense eventually to figure out where he needs to be; and that, too, is a tribute to the author, because I found myself thinking of Ben as I would of someone I know. Okay, someone who aggravates me no end, but still, my point is, the character does come alive. And, as my title above suggests, journeys to hell and (mostly) back before the the book ends.
The prose is literary. I'm surprised Kensington didn't jump all over this. As I was reading, I kept checking the cover, convinced I was reading a Kensington release. It should have been a shoo-in for a Lammie. It's the kind of thing they love. If I'd gotten it in time I'd have nominated it for a Publishing Triangle Award--there's one for debut novels, and this would have been worth their consideration.
All of which is to say, this is a really a fine book, and Jim Arnold is obviously a writer of considerable talent and a welcome addition to the glbt genre. I recommend this book highly, but with a caveat - it's a grueling journey for the reader.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Haunting Story Sep 20, 2009
By Jane Austen
"comedy fan"
From the moment I "met" Ben on the page his combination of a sharp wit and a kind (but certainly not mushy!) heart made me want happiness for him. I rooted for him to beat the cancer and to triumph creatively. There's no need to synopsize this story because the previous reviewer has done a good job. I just want to say that this new writer is worth reading, and that his hero is worth caring about.
Awesome Novel! Sep 19, 2010
By Darryl M.
"Literary Fiend"
BENEDICTION has it all. Brilliant writing, well-crafted characters, suspense, dramatic storyline, plot twists, and believable human relationships that anyone can relate to, and keep the pages turning. Way to go, Jim Arnold. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!
See all 10 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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