Book Name: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Published: Febraury 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Genre: YA Contemporary
Requested by: Amy (amypham1399)
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.
Lisamentary:
When I first started this book, I was caught off guard by the fact that this book takes place in the late 1980's (I don't usually read books that don't happen past the 2000's), so not as contemporary as I was expecting. However, this time following the Vietnam War and newness of gay people really helped to define Aristotle and Dante's problems and others similar to them.
Even though Aristotle is a very much a pessimist in this book, it didn't bother me because it was for the understandable. Per his sisters, he was apparently "born too late," being born nearly a decade after his sisters and brother. His brother, whom he loved, is in prison and is basically erased from the family, never to be spoken of, with all the photos hidden. Suffering from PTSD from the Vietnam War, his dad barely ever talked (I thought he was mute at first). Also, he was a loner and didn't have any friends.
Then, there's Dante, who has these amazing parents and seems like Ari's total opposite. Although, it says that Dante's a loner, it's for a different reason; he's a floater and is liked by everyone, so he doesn't have his own crowd really. When they became friends, they don't have much in common besides not have many friends themselves, because in truth, they're very much opposites.
However, there was something about them that just clicked. I liked them together, and it's fun to see how Ari is so alive around Dante. For Dante, he seemed more real; usually, he's presented as someone who's perfect and figured out. They complemented each other well.
The evolution to their relationship in the end was very natural and I liked that. They didn't have an epic romance, even though there were many near-death situations and separations. Nothing was forced; everything had its time and place. Their relationship was just like life; things happen, people grow, and they discover new things about themselves and the universe.
This book does span about two years and more, so you get to grow up with these boys as they find themselves.
Another thing I liked about this book is that it didn't put too much emphasis on the boys being gay, especially in the 1980's when being gay generally is not accepted by the public. It showed that not everyone is intolerant. But it's not all rainbows-and-unicorns because it did show some brutality.
It doesn't happen often, well at all really, but I teared up a few times in this book. Ari and his strained relationship with his father and his feeling of loss with his brother made me so sad. I'm things were resolved in the end with Ari's family; however, hearing about Ari's father's PTSD and guilt concerning the Vietnam War hits home (my grandpa served in the war). War's hard for the families waiting, but it's even harder for those returning to civilian life after experiencing such horrors. People are just never the same and everyone has to adjust.
The saddest parts were Ari's and Dante's near death experiences because the reason for them were heartbreaking to begin with and then their sadness for each other just mad me feel even sadder. It was a sad-fest I tell you.
What kind of irked me, as well as Ari, was Dante's disconnection with his Hispanic heritage. He just didn't want to be associated with it and its hard for me to understand why. However, this was a huge point of emphasis in the book. I guess Dante just didn't identify with it.
Compared to books I generally read, this book is more serious and profound. It addresses a lot of real-life issues that beyond the scope of romance; it discusses the Vietnam War, being gay, identity, friendship, and much more. This book is genuine and heartfelt. It's different than what I usually go for and I loved it. The progression was natural and real; it could've been anyone's story of that time and now even. I would recommend this book to anyone because I think there's a little something in this book that can resonate with people. It was a great read and really makes you re-evaluate your life. It was so deep that I had to find a pick-me-up read: Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone (even though it wasn't all that happy but a really good read all the same).
Enjoy!!
Story: 9
Characters: 10
Enjoyment: 9
Overall:
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