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Reviews tagging 'Bullying'
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
60 reviews
toofondofbooks_'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
4.5
First of all, thank you Mr. Ben - I know that this book was a labor of love for you and how much it means to you that you finally have put it out into the world.
This is a sequel that I never thought was going to come, and when it finally arrived on my doorstep, I was so happy that I think I cried a little. This is a continuation of Ari & Dante's story, but it's a lot more than that. It's the story of Ari's journey to self acceptance, a story of love, loss, and growing up. It's about letting people love you even when you would rather be invisible. It's about closure, it's about romantic love, familial love, and the love of friends. It's all there. I annotated and highlighted the HELL out of this. I think I had a highlighted line on nearly every page. I just feel like getting to have read this is what I needed during this period of my life.
slight spoilers right here -
Having said all that though, I do share some criticisms and concerns that other people have about the story in general, specifically with the way transphobia presents itself and the way some characters are pushed to come out before they are ready. These were both things that occurred in the first book that I only realized were a problem years later, and I was slightly disappointed to not see them rectified.
Overall, however, I love this book. I love these characters and how they love and take care of one another. I love Dante Quintana more than I love any other boy in literature and I know that I will return to this again, just as I've returned to the original book.
This is a sequel that I never thought was going to come, and when it finally arrived on my doorstep, I was so happy that I think I cried a little. This is a continuation of Ari & Dante's story, but it's a lot more than that. It's the story of Ari's journey to self acceptance, a story of love, loss, and growing up. It's about letting people love you even when you would rather be invisible. It's about closure, it's about romantic love, familial love, and the love of friends. It's all there. I annotated and highlighted the HELL out of this. I think I had a highlighted line on nearly every page. I just feel like getting to have read this is what I needed during this period of my life.
slight spoilers right here -
Having said all that though, I do share some criticisms and concerns that other people have about the story in general, specifically with the way transphobia presents itself and the way some characters are pushed to come out before they are ready. These were both things that occurred in the first book that I only realized were a problem years later, and I was slightly disappointed to not see them rectified.
Overall, however, I love this book. I love these characters and how they love and take care of one another. I love Dante Quintana more than I love any other boy in literature and I know that I will return to this again, just as I've returned to the original book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Outing, Pregnancy, Racism, Violence, Sexism, Blood, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
jasminawithab's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
a lot of it felt like the author had many many things he wanted to mention but none of them went anywhere. there were definitely parts i resonated with but overall, its an unnecessary sequel to an phenomenal book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Bullying, Alcohol, and Biphobia
otbval's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Hate crime, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, War, and Transphobia
collyofthewobbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Deeply moving and emotional continuation of Ari & Dantes story.
Their families play a bigger role in this book and i feel it is richer for it. It’s hard to go into detail with the story without spoilers.
But once again Benjamin Alire Saenz has written a highly emotionally intelligent book, that will stamp itself into your heart.
These characters do not leave your conscious easily and will sit with you for a while.
Their families play a bigger role in this book and i feel it is richer for it. It’s hard to go into detail with the story without spoilers.
But once again Benjamin Alire Saenz has written a highly emotionally intelligent book, that will stamp itself into your heart.
These characters do not leave your conscious easily and will sit with you for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Pregnancy, and Grief
Minor: Transphobia, Toxic relationship, and Murder
ohnoits_arcturus's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Bullying, Religious bigotry, and War
kalin_grace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Deadnaming, Grief, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Racism
theskyboi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a sequel, Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World not only captures the essence of its predecessor; it amplifies the emotional depth of its characters' motivations and inner musings. Though it is not without levity, much like the first book, this is the very first book to make me cry while reading. Benjamin Alire Sáenz crafts a cast of loving, pensive, and thoughtful characters that are impossible not to fall in love with, and the world they learn to appreciate and discover is grounded in the reality of the human experience.
As Ari & Dante mature, so do their concerns. At the forefront of the novel are their familiar, jovial musings, but they uncover new layers of wonder and fear about what the future may hold as they approach the end of the 20th century. While the story centers on two Mexican-American cis gay teens, Sáenz paints a portrait of a decade steeped in quite a number of social-justice concerns that lie beyond the scope of their lived experiences.
Even in the face of the book's saddest moments, I found myself unable to stop smiling throughout my read. Ari & Dante have a story that can warm even the toughest of hearts. It's with great pleasure that I put another five-star read back on my shelf for safe keeping.
Thank you to Book Club Favorites at Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
As Ari & Dante mature, so do their concerns. At the forefront of the novel are their familiar, jovial musings, but they uncover new layers of wonder and fear about what the future may hold as they approach the end of the 20th century. While the story centers on two Mexican-American cis gay teens, Sáenz paints a portrait of a decade steeped in quite a number of social-justice concerns that lie beyond the scope of their lived experiences.
Even in the face of the book's saddest moments, I found myself unable to stop smiling throughout my read. Ari & Dante have a story that can warm even the toughest of hearts. It's with great pleasure that I put another five-star read back on my shelf for safe keeping.
Thank you to Book Club Favorites at Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, and Confinement
ynbushehri's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Deadnaming, Murder, Suicide, Chronic illness, Bullying, and Cursing
wordswoods's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I got this as an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
ARISTOTLE AND DANTE <3 <3 <3
This second book follows Ari and Dante. They have just discovered that they're in love with each other, but in 1980s El Paso, Texas, to be gay is not a walk in the park. The reader follows Ari's story of falling in love and navigating his first relationship, finally making friends and surviving his last year of high school against the backdrop of the raging AIDS pandemic that is on the news all the time.
The story builds up slowly and several plot twists make it to be an interesting story to tell, as we see Ari, Dante and their friends growing up from teens to young adults throughout this last year of school.
Ever the romantic, Benjamin Alire Sáenz uses pensive, reflective writing about big topics that are beautiful, but do sound a bit jarring at times coming from a 17-year-old. As you get used to this as a reader, though, it allows the author to delve into important topics such as homosexuality, feminism, death, relationships with lovers, friends and family, and learning to let go.
A love story from beginning to end, this second novel - just as the first one - isn't just a cheesy tale of some teenagers falling in love. It explores deeper topics and shows the reader experiences that greatly impact these young characters, who try to navigate life among heavy and lighter, day-to-day, problems.
I definitely recommend this if you read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
ARISTOTLE AND DANTE <3 <3 <3
This second book follows Ari and Dante. They have just discovered that they're in love with each other, but in 1980s El Paso, Texas, to be gay is not a walk in the park. The reader follows Ari's story of falling in love and navigating his first relationship, finally making friends and surviving his last year of high school against the backdrop of the raging AIDS pandemic that is on the news all the time.
The story builds up slowly and several plot twists make it to be an interesting story to tell, as we see Ari, Dante and their friends growing up from teens to young adults throughout this last year of school.
Ever the romantic, Benjamin Alire Sáenz uses pensive, reflective writing about big topics that are beautiful, but do sound a bit jarring at times coming from a 17-year-old. As you get used to this as a reader, though, it allows the author to delve into important topics such as homosexuality, feminism, death, relationships with lovers, friends and family, and learning to let go.
A love story from beginning to end, this second novel - just as the first one - isn't just a cheesy tale of some teenagers falling in love. It explores deeper topics and shows the reader experiences that greatly impact these young characters, who try to navigate life among heavy and lighter, day-to-day, problems.
I definitely recommend this if you read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, Death, Grief, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
This is a beautiful sequel, so heartwarming and enchanting.,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Bullying
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