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A review by swordsparks
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5.0
Aristotle and Dante are both fifteen year old boys living in El Paso, Texas. During the summer of 1987, the boys meet and immediately connect, comparing identities, heritage, hopes, and fear. Their lives become deeply intertwined as they fall fast into a close friendship and perhaps something else.
Both Ari and Dante are Mexican-American, but throughout the novel Dante struggles with being “Mexican enough”. Author Benjamin Alire Saenz is also a gay, Mexican-American man, so this story come from an insider perspective.
While there are references to Dante and Ari’s Mexican American experience in the novel, they could easily be swapped in some parts for other cultural identities. Therefore I would classify this novel as culturally generic. The 1980’s time period could have been referenced more in the novel as well. That being said, the characters have full, fleshed out narratives, which are complemented by the author’s use of emotion.
Both Ari and Dante are Mexican-American, but throughout the novel Dante struggles with being “Mexican enough”. Author Benjamin Alire Saenz is also a gay, Mexican-American man, so this story come from an insider perspective.
While there are references to Dante and Ari’s Mexican American experience in the novel, they could easily be swapped in some parts for other cultural identities. Therefore I would classify this novel as culturally generic. The 1980’s time period could have been referenced more in the novel as well. That being said, the characters have full, fleshed out narratives, which are complemented by the author’s use of emotion.