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Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
9 reviews
juliatsang's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
I would have loved this book as an emo teenager on tumblr. As an adult, I still enjoy some of the twee writing and feel emotional at *the* moments, but alas, I can tell I have grown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Car accident, Bullying, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
d00rframe's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
I love this book, currently reading the second one :3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Medical content, Racism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Ableism, Body horror, Gun violence, Hate crime, Outing, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, and Dysphoria
Minor: Self harm
3amonline's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: War, Transphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
vr_alyssa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
2017 review:
Those five stars relate to plot. It really got to me. Just a story of two teenagers, best friends, and life in 1987. It's heartbreaking because it's easy to relate to (no matter your gender, race or sexual preference). I really loved this book.
2023 review:
I decided to re-read this book on a whim. I honestly don't know why. I mean, I already had a pile of books I'm currently reading. Simultaneously, I had forgotten how much I love this book. Not because it's eventful, or fast-paced and action packed (like most books I read these days), but because it's so incredibly human. I don't know if I appreciated how beautifully it depicts the teenage condition last time I read this novel, or how it demonstrates how complicated unconditional love can be. But man. I ugly cried a couple times near the end, which caught me off guard. Because I honestly did not remember how much I love this book, just that I loved it.
Those five stars relate to plot. It really got to me. Just a story of two teenagers, best friends, and life in 1987. It's heartbreaking because it's easy to relate to (no matter your gender, race or sexual preference). I really loved this book.
2023 review:
I decided to re-read this book on a whim. I honestly don't know why. I mean, I already had a pile of books I'm currently reading. Simultaneously, I had forgotten how much I love this book. Not because it's eventful, or fast-paced and action packed (like most books I read these days), but because it's so incredibly human. I don't know if I appreciated how beautifully it depicts the teenage condition last time I read this novel, or how it demonstrates how complicated unconditional love can be. But man. I ugly cried a couple times near the end, which caught me off guard. Because I honestly did not remember how much I love this book, just that I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Car accident
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Homophobia, Cursing, Drug use, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Murder and Death
finnft4's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I absolutely loved this book (I have read it 6 times in the past half year, and it is the only book that
I've gone back and hyper-analyzed with annotations).
I know that it certainly has some flaws (some of the lines of narration are a bit... trite [mostly just reminding me of something I would write on my notes app when I was 11 - just a fake sense of profoundness that comes off as pretentious] and a certain part of the book is slow), but I just can't bring myself to give it anything below 5 stars.
For one, it read so well for me. This is one of the few books that flowed so naturally that it didn't feel like I was truly reading, if that makes sense. There wasn't that usual barrier between the reader and the novel that usually existed. The writing is light and humble, and easy to read in a good way. I'd especially recommend it to anyone in a reading slump.
I also felt a true connection to the characters. Each one had depth and made the story's exploration of friendships and family relationships that much deeper. I loved Ari as a narrator and protagonist (I personally related to his cheekiness and apathy), as well as his own character exploration and development. Dante was also fantastic, with his oftentimes foolish bravery and his estranged, isolated view of his culture.
The metaphor of "running" vs. "standing still" is brilliant and still leaves me in awe even after I've already read the book multiple times. I couldn't even write this review for months because it had left me speechless. I still can't get over the last few pages. Some of the best catharsis in pretty much anything ever.
Overall, it's an emotional coming-of-age story that has left an impact on me even months after I've finished it. It has one of the most satisfying conclusions out of any book I've ever read.
A truly great comfort book that, while imperfect, feels extremely refreshing.
I've gone back and hyper-analyzed with annotations).
I know that it certainly has some flaws (some of the lines of narration are a bit... trite [mostly just reminding me of something I would write on my notes app when I was 11 - just a fake sense of profoundness that comes off as pretentious] and a certain part of the book is slow), but I just can't bring myself to give it anything below 5 stars.
For one, it read so well for me. This is one of the few books that flowed so naturally that it didn't feel like I was truly reading, if that makes sense. There wasn't that usual barrier between the reader and the novel that usually existed. The writing is light and humble, and easy to read in a good way. I'd especially recommend it to anyone in a reading slump.
I also felt a true connection to the characters. Each one had depth and made the story's exploration of friendships and family relationships that much deeper. I loved Ari as a narrator and protagonist (I personally related to his cheekiness and apathy), as well as his own character exploration and development. Dante was also fantastic, with his oftentimes foolish bravery and his estranged, isolated view of his culture.
Overall, it's an emotional coming-of-age story that has left an impact on me even months after I've finished it. It has one of the most satisfying conclusions out of any book I've ever read.
A truly great comfort book that, while imperfect, feels extremely refreshing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Homophobia
Minor: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and War
captain07's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
justreaditem's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a sweet book. I love that Ari and Dante meet randomly because Ari wants to learn how to swim and Dante offers to teach him then ta da, they’re friends for life.
I found it odd, how Ari kept Dante separate from other aspects of his life, not his family but his school ‘friends’.
I loved how Dante liked everyone and was a sweet, kind boy, even if he hated shoes. His family showed that Mexicans and other Latino people are not the racist stereotypes that so many portray in books and films. His parents were in high paying, respectable jobs, as were Ari’s.
Dante’s matter of fact ness around his sexuality made me laugh so much. He liked kissing boys and that is that. I think that’s how a lot of people have felt.
Ari’s struggle to understand how he felt about Dante and around his lack of sexual attraction or desire is how I think a lot of people feel growing up. I think there should be an emphasis on the fact that you might not feel things as black and white as others, and actually, what love feels like to you is completely different for someone else.
I loved it. I just feel like it was a little long, hence I rated it 4 stars and not 5 stars.
I love that Lin-Manuel Miranda narrated it, too. And said ‘Alexander Hamilton’ multiple times throughout the book!
I found it odd, how Ari kept Dante separate from other aspects of his life, not his family but his school ‘friends’.
I loved how Dante liked everyone and was a sweet, kind boy, even if he hated shoes. His family showed that Mexicans and other Latino people are not the racist stereotypes that so many portray in books and films. His parents were in high paying, respectable jobs, as were Ari’s.
Dante’s matter of fact ness around his sexuality made me laugh so much. He liked kissing boys and that is that. I think that’s how a lot of people have felt.
Ari’s struggle to understand how he felt about Dante and around his lack of sexual attraction or desire is how I think a lot of people feel growing up. I think there should be an emphasis on the fact that you might not feel things as black and white as others, and actually, what love feels like to you is completely different for someone else.
I loved it. I just feel like it was a little long, hence I rated it 4 stars and not 5 stars.
I love that Lin-Manuel Miranda narrated it, too. And said ‘Alexander Hamilton’ multiple times throughout the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Hate crime
Minor: War, Death, and Homophobia
myarae's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
dummehure's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
That said this is my second time reading it and I still adore this book and I will probably reread it in the near future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Hate crime, Car accident, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Murder and Hate crime
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