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Reviews tagging 'Biphobia'
Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
18 reviews
drraytay's review
Theoretically the subject matter of this book is right up my ally. It’s hard to pinpoint why this book didn’t work for me but it just didn’t and I couldn’t finish it.
It was very emotional but it still felt surface level, try hard, and repetitive. The emotions weren’t believable for me because everyone was constantly crying and gushing over each other. I kept finding myself thinking “no one speaks like this all of the time.”
It was also really difficult to pick up the tone of the conversations because there was no description of mood until the end of a conversation if at all. Dante was either suddenly enraged or laughing and every time I thought “that came out of nowhere.” Everything was just over the top.
I honestly wanted to finish this book for the sake of completeness since I read the first in the series but it felt like a struggle even though it’s a fairly quick read.
From other reviews it sounds like this book gets biphobic and transphobic. The first book was already deeply misogynistic so that’s really not surprising. Also I HATED that Ari’s mom outed him to his sisters. That was extremely out of character for her and it was glazed over as if that isn’t a massive violation of trust.
It was very emotional but it still felt surface level, try hard, and repetitive. The emotions weren’t believable for me because everyone was constantly crying and gushing over each other. I kept finding myself thinking “no one speaks like this all of the time.”
It was also really difficult to pick up the tone of the conversations because there was no description of mood until the end of a conversation if at all. Dante was either suddenly enraged or laughing and every time I thought “that came out of nowhere.” Everything was just over the top.
I honestly wanted to finish this book for the sake of completeness since I read the first in the series but it felt like a struggle even though it’s a fairly quick read.
From other reviews it sounds like this book gets biphobic and transphobic. The first book was already deeply misogynistic so that’s really not surprising. Also I HATED that Ari’s mom outed him to his sisters. That was extremely out of character for her and it was glazed over as if that isn’t a massive violation of trust.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Outing
thebookwormbaker's review against another edition
slow-paced
This is just bad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Biphobia
mimi_panini's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i hate to say that i'm disappointed with this book. it wasn't ever going to live up to the first one, and i wasn't expecting it to, but from the very beginning, i was struggling to read it. it's a tradition of mine to read the one-star reviews of any book i read, whether i loved it or hated it, and many of the one-star reviews for this book call out the blatant transphobia that's present in this book, and i have to agree. i understand that this book takes place in the late 80s but if the whole book is about ari and dante coming to terms with the fact that they'll always be ostracized from society for being gay and learning to love themselves anyway, why couldn't the book make it more clear that the same logic should be applied to transgender people? in the first half of the book, ari had no trouble using the correct pronouns for the woman that bernardo killed, but after his visit with his brother, he suddenly was having trouble and misgendered her. also, this book was waaaaay longer than it needed to be. i feel like only half of the things that happened in this book were important enough to keep in the final edit. ben is a beautiful writer, but part of good writing is knowing what warrants a detailed explanation and what doesn't.
overall, i'm just upset with this book. i've read a few of ben's other books; the first ari and dante book, the inexplicable logic of my life, and the first few chapters of las night i sang to the monster, and they all lived way above this one. i hope ben redeems himself with his next book.
overall, i'm just upset with this book. i've read a few of ben's other books; the first ari and dante book, the inexplicable logic of my life, and the first few chapters of las night i sang to the monster, and they all lived way above this one. i hope ben redeems himself with his next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death
Moderate: Biphobia
feb_books's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Well, my copy of this book was not perfect, and it’s missing pages 219-250. But let’s forget about it!
I like Ari's development in this book. He is starting to make friends, and he has begun to open up to other people. But Dante. Why his character becomes so immature? Why?
At first, when I knew Aristotle & Dante would have a sequel, I was so excited about it, but I also think that the first book was already perfect as it is, and it doesn’t need a sequel at all. I still think that way.
Long story shorts, this book is very mediocre compared to the first one. I hope that the author addresses the transphobia issue from the first book and correct it. But instead, they give us another issue called biphobia. Some of the jokes sound sexist, and I’m questioning so many things in this book. Why did the author decide to write this or that and put it in their books and think that was a funny/good idea.
This book feels like a cheap version of the first book. Sorry.
⚠️Tw: Homophobia, Biphobia, Death of Parents, Grief, Racism, Transphobia, Death, Murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Grief, Transphobia, and Biphobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Murder
jasminawithab's review
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
betweentheshelves's review
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
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this to review! I remember loving Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe back when it came out, so I was excited to dive into this one. Especially because it has an absolutely gorgeous cover!
This book picks up pretty much where the first one left off, if I remember correctly. It’s been quite a while since I read the first book. What’s great about these books are definitely the characters. Like Ari, you’ll fall in love with Dante, his quirky personality, the way he doesn’t seem to care what other people think. The side characters are also well developed, creating a cast you’re sure to fall in love with.
However, this book is very slow moving. Usually, I’m fine with slow moving books, but I just had a hard time getting into this narrative. Maybe it’s because it’s been too long since I read the first book. I don’t know. I’m not sure this book needs to be as long as it is, as pieces of the plot definitely feel like they drag a bit. There are beautiful moments, and I wish we had more of a chance to focus on those.
Despite the length, there are absolutely lyrical moments throughout the book. I do wish we got to see more of Dante throughout the book, as this is definitely more focused on Ari’s journey. But, if you loved the first book, I’m sure you’ll be just as hooked in this one.
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I think it's just been too long since I read the original book, and I just wasn't necessarily in the mood for this paritcular story. More to come in a review this week!
I think it's just been too long since I read the original book, and I just wasn't necessarily in the mood for this paritcular story. More to come in a review this week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Transphobia
Minor: Biphobia, Chronic illness, and Deadnaming
theskyboi's review
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
ninahaines's review against another edition
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Moderate: Biphobia
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