Today I am sharing my review of an amazing book, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. This is a book that came out a long time ago but I am so happy I found it and read it!
Synopsis
A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
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.
Why did I decide to read this book
This book was recommended to me on Instagram. I asked on a post for Young Adult recommendations and this was one of them. Then I saw it had a 4.34 star rating on Goodreads with over 250,000 reviews and knew I had to read it.
Rating
5 Stars (An Absolutely Amazing Book!)
My Thoughts
This is an amazing book and I want everyone to read it! If you like audiobooks please do yourself a favor and listen to it in audio, it is narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda and it is perfection. This is another book that I wish I had read when I was younger but I am so glad I finally read it. I had so many feelings while reading it.
What I loved the most about this book is the characters, I was so attached to them by the end of the book that I didn’t want it to end. The relationship bewteen Ari and Dante is so beautiful and heartbreaking at times. I also loved that the book included Ari and Dante’s parents. Usually in YA books the parents are a very distant character or not even mentioned. I loved how their relationship with their parents impacted their lives. I think if I was younger reading this book it would give me so much to reflect on seeing the parents interactions.
The writing is amazing! I laughed, I cried and it made me reflect. This is a character driven book but the kind I like where there is still a plot that kept me engaged. I don’t know how else to explain why I liked this book so much, just trust me and go read it!
Content Warnings
This book covers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), mental health (i.e. depression, anxiety), substance use, and violence.
Get the book!
Did this review of Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe convince you to read it? You can get the book from Bookshop.org here. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering.
