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Reviews tagging 'War'
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
65 reviews
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Deadnaming, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Terminal illness, War, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
loverrbboy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
;;;;_;;;;
this book and it’s beautiful prose ripped my shit open every time i opened it, which is why it took me so long to get through. the side characters really came through in the sequel, it was much needed. Ari’s beautiful family and his transformed relationship with the world around him give me so much hope. this book is about growing up, and learning, and loving even though (and especially because) it hurts. and Dante is a perfect little fool.
this book and it’s beautiful prose ripped my shit open every time i opened it, which is why it took me so long to get through. the side characters really came through in the sequel, it was much needed. Ari’s beautiful family and his transformed relationship with the world around him give me so much hope. this book is about growing up, and learning, and loving even though (and especially because) it hurts. and Dante is a perfect little fool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia and War
elliizzzabeth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A lovely continuation of Ari and Dante's story. Written in that same beautiful, thought provoking way - this time we explore themes of love, sex, AIDS, death, grief, teachers and friendship.
This book is the epitome of "No plot, just vibes". At least the first book had some sort of arc from meeting Dante to realising he was in love with him. This one reads more like a diary or a collection of poetic essays, it doesn't really go anywhere except trudging forward day by day. It's more about exploring opinions and the world than having a story. If that's not your cup of tea then it may feel a little slow and boring. But if you like poetic writing and deep explorations of topics then you will enjoy this. Every other line was a beautiful, poignantly crafted thought. If you like to highlight good quotes then your copy will be glowing neon by the end.
The lack of plot did mean it dragged in some places. The start felt like I was just ari going on and on about how much he loves Dante and the end dragged out longer than it needed to. The part in Paris felt almost completely unnecessary and tacked on.
Overall a very beautiful and thoughtful book, but not quite as perfect as the first
This book is the epitome of "No plot, just vibes". At least the first book had some sort of arc from meeting Dante to realising he was in love with him. This one reads more like a diary or a collection of poetic essays, it doesn't really go anywhere except trudging forward day by day. It's more about exploring opinions and the world than having a story. If that's not your cup of tea then it may feel a little slow and boring. But if you like poetic writing and deep explorations of topics then you will enjoy this. Every other line was a beautiful, poignantly crafted thought. If you like to highlight good quotes then your copy will be glowing neon by the end.
The lack of plot did mean it dragged in some places. The start felt like I was just ari going on and on about how much he loves Dante and the end dragged out longer than it needed to. The part in Paris felt almost completely unnecessary and tacked on.
Overall a very beautiful and thoughtful book, but not quite as perfect as the first
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Hate crime, Racism, and War
I put child death but its more an exploration of death of an (adult) child. Also a lot of exploration of AIDS and the AIDS epedemicmarisasbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, and Death of parent
a_sleepy_berry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The writing style still annoyed me but it felt a lot smoother than the previous book. Also Ari and Dante are so adorable together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, War, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Murder, and Transphobia
Minor: Outing and Panic attacks/disorders
nikexistiertnik's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
first of all, i am happy i read this book, and i am happy it exists.
i loved ari's personal development - seeing him evolve, build friendships, open up for love, made me very happy, especially the relationship he came to have with his father and his mother.
meeting bernardo was one thing i had really hoped would happen in the first book, so i was excited that it finally happened now; and while i appreciated that it wasn't a fantasy meeting and that he wasn't suddenly a wonderful and misunderstood man - because sometimes people we used to love turn out to be horrible and memories can't change that -, i was really uncomfortable with how mentions of his victim were handled. i understand why bernardo would misgender her, but i really don't get why it would be necessary to mention her deadname and then have ari misgender her afterwards.
this sequel also made dante feel more human and less idealised, but i still would have wanted more of his perspective, he feels like such a slippery and blurry character to me, regardless of all the flaws and mannerisms we learn about.
although i appreciated a lot of the topics that played parts in the story, like the aids pandemic or the impact the vietnam war had on veterans etc., it seemed rushed, like there was just too much content for this book, while also being very repetitive.
as a result, i feel like waters of the world could be 150 pages shorter, but at the same time it could discuss and deal with its topics for another 150 pages - the balance is just kinda off.
the ending is another example for that; i feel like it could've been cut short and had them be broken up, because that's what happens with teenage relationships and there's no shame in that or it could've been explored in greater length and had them have better communication etc.
overall, i enjoyed the writing - even though there were kind of a lot of errors that could've been avoided by reading over it one more time - and the relationships ari was able to build over the course of the book. i couldn't fully get lost in the story, but i did feel with him, i did relate to lots of his thoughts, and i appreciated some of the political content that was brought up.
it was just not exactly what it could've been.
i loved ari's personal development - seeing him evolve, build friendships, open up for love, made me very happy, especially the relationship he came to have with his father and his mother.
this sequel also made dante feel more human and less idealised, but i still would have wanted more of his perspective, he feels like such a slippery and blurry character to me, regardless of all the flaws and mannerisms we learn about.
although i appreciated a lot of the topics that played parts in the story, like the aids pandemic or the impact the vietnam war had on veterans etc., it seemed rushed, like there was just too much content for this book, while also being very repetitive.
as a result, i feel like waters of the world could be 150 pages shorter, but at the same time it could discuss and deal with its topics for another 150 pages - the balance is just kinda off.
the ending is another example for that; i feel like it could've been cut short
overall, i enjoyed the writing - even though there were kind of a lot of errors that could've been avoided by reading over it one more time - and the relationships ari was able to build over the course of the book. i couldn't fully get lost in the story, but i did feel with him, i did relate to lots of his thoughts, and i appreciated some of the political content that was brought up.
it was just not exactly what it could've been.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism, Pregnancy, Violence, War, Cursing, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Deadnaming
jesshorn10's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
Minor: Deadnaming and War
I decided to try this one again after my re-read of the first book to see if it changed my opinion about it. Unfortunately, It was still just okay. I feel like the chapters were way too short, and the writing was a bit over the top for me, sometimes. I feel like the author was trying too hard to make everything the characters said deep and meaningful, and it felt like all the characters were trying to teach me a lesson, which got a little old. Overall, I didn't hate this. It was nice to see Ari and Dante's relationship continue and develop, and I also really liked Ari's character development. I just expected a bit more.birthisacurse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Hate crime, Transphobia, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and War
marit_1305's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming and War
meleac07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the absolute books I’ve ever read. This book makes me so full of peace and it comforted me in every moment I read it. This is one of those books that makes me think differently. One of those books that has a lasting impact on me. Everything from the characters to the setting to the plot was so gorgeously done. Absolutely magnificent in every way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: War, Sexual content, and Deadnaming