Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

12000020Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Source: library
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary: This was perfect.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.” (Source)

Although I’d heard fantastic things about this book, I was nervous about whether I’d be able to relate to a book about two teenage boys. I was so silly. The characters in this book are real, so much so that knowing nothing about being a teenage boy, I’m still convinced the author captured them perfectly. In fact, I’d say the reason I cried when I finished this book was because it was so raw and real and sad but also so beautifully happy all at the same time. I never thought I’d find myself saying this, since I generally avoid emotional books, but I loved it because it gave me all of the feels. Forget whether or not you get teenage boys (and really, does anyone get teenage boys?). This is a book about two people who are brought to life more vividly than any other characters I’ve ever read about. It’s also by far the most invested I’ve ever been in a fictional relationship.

Everyone knows this book as a book about LGBT issues, but the boys in this book also deal with everything from choices about sex and drugs to being part of a minority. These weighty topics were covered in a way that was profoundly moving and thoughtful without ever being preachy. Seriously, I don’t usually even notice quotes in this book and every few pages, the author was saying something that captured a truth so perfectly, I had to go write it down. The writing was fantastic in other ways as well. As you might guess from my raving about the feels, the author does a great job capturing emotion. For instance, when Ari and Dante meet, the author has a description of how it feels when you meet someone and just know you’re going to be friends. He described the feeling in a way that really resonated with me – hey, I’ve been there! And his pacing was spot on. I liked the short vignettes of Ari’s life which let  me get to know him bit by bit. And the staccato sentences of conversation popping back and forth between good friends was part of what brought the characters so much to life.

In short, I think the author tackles incredibly difficult issues in a moving and thought-provoking way. I think he makes great points about acceptance and responsible choices without explicitly saying anything to that effect. He perfectly describes the turmoil of being a teenager and the challenges of being human. So go hand this to a teenager. Then get a copy for yourself.

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10 Comments

Filed under Fiction, LGBT, Romance, Young Adult

10 Responses to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

  1. Shannon @ River City Reading

    Oh, I hadn’t heard of this one, but I’m definitely taking note! Glad it ended up working out for you, even though you were a little apprehensive at first. And what an awesome cover.
    Shannon @ River City Reading recently posted…Top Ten Books for Fans of The WireMy Profile

    Reply
    • How exciting! I’ve been hearing good things about this book from many of the YA books I read for quite some time, so I didn’t think I’d get to introduce it to anyone. If you pick it up, I hope you love it as much as I did :)

      Reply
  2. Cayce

    I cried at the end, too – happy tears. :) I’m not a big reader of angsty/emotional books (like I will probably never read The Fault in Our Stars), but Ari and Dante was just PERFECT – so beautiful, so many FEELs. *sigh*
    Beautiful review!!

    Don’t forget to link it up:
    http://nijiclovers.blogspot.com/2014/04/lgbt-month-week-5-3-more-days.html
    Cayce recently posted…[Author Guest Post] I Want to See You Be Brave by Nikki GodwinMy Profile

    Reply
    • Exactly! I thought about doing a The Fault in Our Stars read-along before the movie came out, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Ari and Dante though was just the right amount of emotional and the ending being happy probably helped too :)

      Reply
  3. Shay

    I heard wonderful things about this book when it came out, but completely forgot about it until now. Thanks for the reminder!
    Shay recently posted…Ajax Penumbra 1969My Profile

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  4. Andi @ Estella's Revenge

    I LOVE the typography on this book SO MUCH, but in general I tend to shy away from books about teen boys. I’m glad to know you had the same reservations but that the book worked so well for you!
    Andi @ Estella’s Revenge recently posted…FUN QUESTIONS To Heal My Aching BrainMy Profile

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    • It is such a beautiful cover! I don’t read books about teen boys very often either, but I’ll be more nervous about doing so after falling in love with this one.

      Reply
  5. Christine @Buckling Bookshelves

    I’ve heard such good things about this one — I definitely need to check it out. I like when YA book tackle big issues and when they’re not like every other book out there, and this one seems to fit the bill!
    Christine @Buckling Bookshelves recently posted…Additional Banned Book ResourcesMy Profile

    Reply
    • As is surely clear from my review, I certainly think it’s worth picking up! I don’t often read YA which tackles big issues, but I think perhaps I should :)

      Reply

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