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

Positives. Sometimes you have book cravings for a specific genre and sometimes that genre is 'Queer coming-of-age story about second-generation immigrant teens that asks deep philosophical questions about selfhood and death'. (Also see: Cemetery Boys, They Both Die at the End.) I can tell you: this novel delivered. Dante and Ari's relationship is as complicated as it is sweet, and as they each grow into fully realised human being, they explore what that means for their relationship as friends and as more than friends.

I also really like the setting of this book which takes place in 1987/1988. It explains why Ari drives the type of truck that he does, Dante's fear of not being accepted for his sexuality, the fact Ari and Dante need to send each other letters when Ari is away and the usage of some outdated terms. It makes the novel stand out from novels like it while it was one of the first books in its genre.

Negatives. Because this novel was one of the first in its genre, its concept and execution is not always as intriguing as stories like it. While poetic, the language used is rather simple (which makes sense for a YA book) and that helped me race through the pages. Really, all of these things are personal preference, I really enjoyed this book.

Quote. "'(Ari) I love swimming.' (Dante) 'I know,' I said. 'I love swimming,' he said again. He was quiet for a little while. And then he said: 'I love swimming- and you.' I didn't say anything. 'Swimming and you, Ari. Those are the things I love the most.'"

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cecilie26's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

I really loved this book. I haven’t read anything in this kind of genre before, but that was definitely a mistake.
Loved that it was kind of simple but said so much still.
The feeling it gave me was really something I haven’t felt before while reading a book, and it was fantastic. It’s me feel so many things, young and confused and a kind of calm that you can’t describe other than comfortable. Like nice comfortable between close friends.
I have read that some find it kind of lacking and is not it when they have read into this kind of genre, but I think this book is a fantastic “starter” book to come into the genre. Even though I find this book phenomenal in its own way. Loved the writing even though it was at a slow pace. Even when it was slow it gave you something at every page.
If you want a vibe then it think the song “people watching” by Conan gray, is hitting it pretty good.

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