A review by askoda
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

4.0

This was a sweet book that grew on me. Riddled with melancholy nuances, Sáenz delicately handled what it is like to be a teenager. Sáenz captures the transition from childhood to adulthood and shoved all of the expectations teens put on themselves.

He brought a twist on the typical “make your parents proud” trope and laid the confines of labels to Ari his protagonist. He did this by allowing Ari to be unconditionally loved by everyone-except for himself. By doing this, it brought attention to the deeply imbedded pressures brought on from generation to generation about several topics ranging from ancestry to sexuality. With this brought a large theme of internal warfare that is relatable to just about anyone- and all the different ways each of us grapple with the inner turmoil.

In the end, this book is all about self love and acceptance. Sáenz shines a light on the different expectations we place on ourselves and the need for self-importance. Without acknowledging our whole selves, how could the world accept us for who we are?