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mikeydp's review against another edition
5.0
1st read: What an amazing story. This is my favourite book i've ever read so far.
2nd read (2022): Somehow this book was even better than the first time I read it. If I could give it 6/5 stars I would. The beautiful story of Ari and Dante will never ever cease to amaze me. I can’t wait to read the 2nd book to see how their story continues.
2nd read (2022): Somehow this book was even better than the first time I read it. If I could give it 6/5 stars I would. The beautiful story of Ari and Dante will never ever cease to amaze me. I can’t wait to read the 2nd book to see how their story continues.
jawsh'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
4.0
Despite being out for over two and a half years, I’m still very much a baby gay, so you know this hit. Lands in that perfect middle ground between YA and more adult writing, the kind of thing that would’ve been everything to me if I’d read it maybe five years ago
amandarosalina's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
nishaali's review against another edition
5.0
I first heard about Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe on Tumblr where everyone is raving about it. I was also drawn to it by the beautiful cover and very unique title. I went into it blind, knowing very little about it beyond the blurb and I think that’s the best way to read this book.
Aristotle is your average 15-year old whiling away summer and waiting for life to begin. Ari, as he prefers to be called, is underwhelmed by his short life so far and also frustrated with the secrets his family seem determined to keep. Being a “pseudo only child” with two much older sisters and a brother locked up in prison, he is comfortable and happy being a loner . All that changes though when Ari meets Dante at the local swimming pool. Dante is unlike anyone Ari has met and the two are polar opposites. But it is from this chance meeting that a very special friendship blossoms, one that changes their lives and helps them unravel the secrets of the universe – the mysteries of identity, family and growing up.
Aristotle and Dante is written almost like a stream of consciousness, we are in Ari’s head the entire time, hearing his innermost thoughts. While Ari is not very forthcoming on the outside, his inner monologue is beautiful. He is inquisitive, frustrated, insightful and sad in equal measure but not one bit pretentious. Ari doesn’t seem to realise the wisdom he possesses and is convinced he is lacking in all the ways that matter to a teenage boy. The book’s blurb describes it as “lyrical” and it was indeed lyrical. But, while the word usually denotes something light or whimsical to me, this book was the absolute opposite. It was so, so raw and all of Ari’s thoughts felt and rang true.
Read the rest of the review on my blog: bookishatheart.com
Aristotle is your average 15-year old whiling away summer and waiting for life to begin. Ari, as he prefers to be called, is underwhelmed by his short life so far and also frustrated with the secrets his family seem determined to keep. Being a “pseudo only child” with two much older sisters and a brother locked up in prison, he is comfortable and happy being a loner . All that changes though when Ari meets Dante at the local swimming pool. Dante is unlike anyone Ari has met and the two are polar opposites. But it is from this chance meeting that a very special friendship blossoms, one that changes their lives and helps them unravel the secrets of the universe – the mysteries of identity, family and growing up.
“And me, I always felt that I didn’t belong anywhere. I didn’t even belong in my own body – especially my own body. I was changing into someone I didn’t know. The change hurt but I didn’t know why it hurt. And nothing about my own emotions made any sense.”
Aristotle and Dante is written almost like a stream of consciousness, we are in Ari’s head the entire time, hearing his innermost thoughts. While Ari is not very forthcoming on the outside, his inner monologue is beautiful. He is inquisitive, frustrated, insightful and sad in equal measure but not one bit pretentious. Ari doesn’t seem to realise the wisdom he possesses and is convinced he is lacking in all the ways that matter to a teenage boy. The book’s blurb describes it as “lyrical” and it was indeed lyrical. But, while the word usually denotes something light or whimsical to me, this book was the absolute opposite. It was so, so raw and all of Ari’s thoughts felt and rang true.
Read the rest of the review on my blog: bookishatheart.com
haileypassmoree's review against another edition
4.0
“all this time i had been trying to figure out the secrets of the universe…all the answers had always been so close…”
even though i expected more from this book, i loved it all the same.
it read like a journal, so easy to read, so nice to read. the ‘chapters’ flowed so nicely.
aristotle and dante are two opposites, two sides of a coin, and yet they find a way to make it together.
i don’t know what else to say, but this book made me happy.
(SPOILERS:
except for a few things that were not nice to the lgbtq+ community)
even though i expected more from this book, i loved it all the same.
it read like a journal, so easy to read, so nice to read. the ‘chapters’ flowed so nicely.
aristotle and dante are two opposites, two sides of a coin, and yet they find a way to make it together.
i don’t know what else to say, but this book made me happy.
(SPOILERS:
except for a few things that were not nice to the lgbtq+ community)
natalie_mcw's review against another edition
5.0
Strongly recommend listening to the reading on Audible by Lin Manuel-Miranda! Fantastic!!!
madelaide's review against another edition
5.0
I've never read a book with a more captivating writing style. I sat down with the intention of reading a few pages and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting. This book makes reality into something so profound and beautiful that it makes you want to do more with your own life, to take the time to really ask yourself who you are and what you want. Sáenz manages to tackle several loaded topics at once and intertwines them with ease, while other books I have read struggle to incorporate subplots without making the story into a confusing mess. This story exemplifies love in every form of the word and I have no doubt that it and its characters will stick with me for years to come.
belladryden_xx's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5