classicalhell's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional 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? N/A

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

theskyboi's review

Go to review page

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...