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

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

I wish I was a high school English teacher so I could design an entire lesson plan around this book. I am thoroughly impressed by this piece of literature. The chosen narrative distance was perfect and Benjamin Alire Saenz was able to sustain it through the whole piece creating a safe space for self-reflection. An achingly open, deep, and authentic journey through Ari’s life. Despite the angst and pain, there was so much laughter and so much growth for every character. 

Despite its short length and simple prose, this is a book you savor. I found myself staring at my cheese sandwich and crying at work, thinking about just a few expertly written sentences.
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