This is as much a story about suicide and those affected by it as it is a story about the particular life and death of a passionate, brilliant writer. By carefully telling the tale of Chang’s life and her suicide, Benson explores the reasons behind suicide, as well as its mysteries.

The tone and voice are appropriately steady, serious. The pace is also steady, deliberate. Such tone and pace lead us with calm through disturbing material. This is a dignified and thoughtful account.

Read “Historian Iris Chang won many battles / The war she lost raged within,” by Heidi Benson

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