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A review by boodschappenlijst
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
reflective
- 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
3.75
Towards the end, let's say from the aunt's passing onward, the story really started getting to me. There's something realistic about people only gazing upon their worst traits after a tragedy, and the reflections that followed moved me to tears several times. All of these are good people, they are just trying to manage difficult feelings in different ways - with various outcomes.
That said, it took substantial effort to get through the first 2/3rds of the book. The prose was simplistic to the point of fault. And what I know from Sáenz' other book (The Inexplicable Logic of my Life), I knew to expect the title to return as a leitmotif throughout, but that doesn't make it any less grating.
Obviously, I am judging this book as someone not from the intended audience. I appreciate the good that was in this book, but I should just skip this genre as a whole.
That said, it took substantial effort to get through the first 2/3rds of the book. The prose was simplistic to the point of fault. And what I know from Sáenz' other book (The Inexplicable Logic of my Life), I knew to expect the title to return as a leitmotif throughout, but that doesn't make it any less grating.
Obviously, I am judging this book as someone not from the intended audience. I appreciate the good that was in this book, but I should just skip this genre as a whole.