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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
144 reviews
tearoyale's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, War, Violence, Hate crime, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Homophobia
gabriella_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Benjamin Alire Sáenz put so much heart into this book. I wish I read this when I was a kid - I think I would’ve enjoyed it more when I was younger. The way he writes dialogue is fun. The way he writes emotional availability (and unavailability) feels so textured you can almost touch it. The character dynamics - especially Aristotle’s and Dante’s - have a whimsy that makes you feel young while you’re reading.
This is a quick read if you’re in the mood for a pick-me-up coming-of-age with substance!
This is a quick read if you’re in the mood for a pick-me-up coming-of-age with substance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Homophobia, Drug use, Violence, War, Blood, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
natkbailey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Grief, Medical content, Violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
spootilious's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Read: August 21, 2023
Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Series: Aristotle and Dante#1
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 3.5/5
Review:
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 3.5/5
Review:
The moment I began reading this book all I could think of was how Benjamin Alire Saenz’s writing style reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Of Love and Other Demons is perhaps one of my favorite magical realism novels I have experienced thus far. And as for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe… It is magical realism at its finest! Perhaps not quite Gabriel Garcia Marquez but I’m not surprised it has won so many rewards.
Obviously, I find the writing absolutely beautiful. The story, although engaging, had no real plot and tended feel a bit forced with some of its dialog but I was never bored. Overall, it was a simple but beautifully written slice of life.
I will admit, though, it was not what I expected this book to be. The light hearted young adult LGBT romance I expected turned out to be the study and exploration of it is to be human; of the loving and strained relationships between a parent and their child; of the existence of one’s self outside of expectations both imposed and internal; a study of the complexity of emotions; and a simple coming of age story. This book was all of these things and more…. And less.
I think (and this is just my opinion) that Benhamin Alire Saenz didn’t write this book to be simply read… but rather to be experienced. While, that sounds simple on the surface it can be a very arduous task for the author and for the reader. Experiences are not universal and thus will not always appeal to some individuals, so I cannot recommend this book to just anyone.
However…
If you are one that loves poetic verse, the simplicity of a slice of life novel, or simply wish to try to discover the secrets of your own universe…. I cannot recommend this novel enough.
Quotes:
“Words were different when they lived inside of you.”
"We all fight our own private wars."
TW: Violence, homophobia, transphobia, foul language, injury, Mentions of Murder, Underage drinking, drug abuse
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Animal death, Transphobia, Hate crime, Violence, Medical content, Drug use, Death, Cursing, Grief, Drug abuse, and Murder
juliaaaaaa's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Murder, Violence, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Medical content, Hate crime, Bullying, Car accident, and Death
daringreader13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Biphobia, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Outing, Racism, Medical content, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Cursing, and Grief
_al'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute lovestory with some dark elements along the way. It sat on shelf for years collecting dust, now I kinda regret it bc I would enjoy it much more if I read it when I bought it.
3/3.5 out for 5. It's fine, I found it somewhat lacking but still enjoyed it.
3/3.5 out for 5. It's fine, I found it somewhat lacking but still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, War, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Transphobia
madelinedalton's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, War, and Medical content
Minor: Murder and Violence
marleysclassics's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's really difficult to write my thoughts about a book that I found to be very confusing at times. It's also quite difficult to explain why - most of it probably is the writing style's fault. It is very minimalistic and I have to admit that this isn't necessarily my favorite thing. When authors try to express everything in a few words it can easily seem a little pathetic - at least to my mind. And yes, that's what I thought here too - sometimes. At other times these one-to-three-word sentences, these half-a-page chapters really hit the spot.
Thus, Aristotle and Dante definitely made me think and feel quite a lot. Here too, I somehow feel pathetic because I guess that's exactly what the author wanted to achieve. But I have to admit: it worked. I certainly experienced a wide range of emotions, from feeling seen to being angry to being shocked to feeling touched to being annoyed to smiling at the pages in front of me. And at all times there was a certain dullness, a thing lingering in the air.
I'm not sure if it is that thing that was resolved on the last, very last page(s), I don't know if I want it to be. Because I feel like it would make everything that is so deep and entangled and there in this book unauthentically simple. But also ... it wouldn't. And even if it kind of seems like this in the end, I think it might be exactly what the story needed. These last to pages, this last sentence - I was just happy. Okay, maybe not just. But quite a lot.
Thus, Aristotle and Dante definitely made me think and feel quite a lot. Here too, I somehow feel pathetic because I guess that's exactly what the author wanted to achieve. But I have to admit: it worked. I certainly experienced a wide range of emotions, from feeling seen to being angry to being shocked to feeling touched to being annoyed to smiling at the pages in front of me. And at all times there was a certain dullness, a thing lingering in the air.
I'm not sure if it is that thing that was resolved on the last, very last page(s), I don't know if I want it to be. Because I feel like it would make everything that is so deep and entangled and there in this book unauthentically simple. But also ... it wouldn't. And even if it kind of seems like this in the end, I think it might be exactly what the story needed. These last to pages, this last sentence - I was just happy. Okay, maybe not just. But quite a lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Hate crime, Homophobia, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Bullying, Car accident, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia, Murder, Transphobia, Medical content, and Death
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
You ever read a book and after you finish it you just sit there for awhile? Thinking about the story, the characters, and the world. I finished reading this and I just had to take a moment to say "wow." Thought provoking and emotional, Ari's tendency to get lost in his own head and thoughts flowed from page to page. All of his hurt, anger, and seemingly uncaring attitude were emotions that resonated so deeply within me as I read through the chapters.
I feel like whenever I read coming of age books I am always bracing myself for something traumatic, or deeply depressing to happen. I am happy to inform you that while this book is emotional and does have sad moments, it does not have an all encompassing event that seems to be in way too many coming of age books. The relationship Ari has with his family and even Dante was so realistically depicted, and so telling of what Ari is actually feeling on the inside.
When you spend your whole life not wanting to admit who you are, it's hard to find worth in anything.
I think at its heart this is a story of discovering yourself, friendship, and love. A must read.
I feel like whenever I read coming of age books I am always bracing myself for something traumatic, or deeply depressing to happen. I am happy to inform you that while this book is emotional and does have sad moments, it does not have an all encompassing event that seems to be in way too many coming of age books. The relationship Ari has with his family and even Dante was so realistically depicted, and so telling of what Ari is actually feeling on the inside.
When you spend your whole life not wanting to admit who you are, it's hard to find worth in anything.
I think at its heart this is a story of discovering yourself, friendship, and love. A must read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Hate crime, Violence, Drug use, Homophobia, and Medical content