Reviews with content warning for Violence - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

i loved the way this book was written so, so much. it felt really poetic and emotional, while at the same time somehow cold and detached, and that's a little how i feel on the inside.

there were lots of tears and lots of times when i realized i really wish i was like dante, as well as times when i related a lot to ari:

"but love was always something heavy to me. something i had to carry."

knowing that the author loves his dog a lot, also made the parts about ari loving legs so much more wholesome and beautiful.

the ileana stuff was unnecessary and rushed in my opinion, just because i couldn't really follow how their relationship progressed and then suddenly it was just over.

i am a little sad that we didn't get multiple povs - i would have enjoyed it a lot to get to know more of dante's thoughts and emotions.

for example i really wish i knew what went on in his head when he pushed ari to kiss him. it made me so uncomfortable.

what didn't really sit right with me was the way they talked about the fact that ari could've lost his legs, although i am in no position to really speak on that, it felt a little ableist to me, and i hope to find out more about what people think about that part who actually have a similar disability to the one he could've had if the surgery had went differently.

i also really hated the part about bernardo unaliving that prostitute, it was just so blatantly transphobic and hurt to read.

but overall i did like their friendship and the way they feel about each other a lot,

even though i didn't expect the romance stuff to take SO. LONG. which is not necessarily a bad thing though, i loved reading about ari's internal struggles, his and dante's families, just everything that was going on.

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amalie_andelova's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious relaxing sad fast-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? Yes

4.75

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bluebirdost's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

3.5

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linus_rieper's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.25

A very sweet and enjoyable book about two boys finding their way from boyhood to almost-manhood. It's about loyalty, it's about communication and it's about honesty.

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chris_reads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

Thoughtfully and beautifully written. There was a distinct setting and tone throughout the novel. I got a strong sense of the personality and mindset of each character, especially the main two. I loved the depth in which it conveyed familial relationships. All the parents in this are A++

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ridesthesun's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.75

What a lovely lovely story 🥺 I love these types of deep character dives, and the work and care put into these boys and their families was just gorgeous. The tone was somehow gentle even as it dealt with really harsh subject matter in a blunt way. Loved these boys, loved the style. Can't wait to read book two ❤️

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