Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Paperback, 368 pages

Published March 31, 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

ISBN:: 978-1-4424-0893-7

(1 review)

Dante can swim. Ari can't. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari's features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself.

But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other―and the power of their friendship―can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.

2 editions

Tsundoku reviewed Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, #1)

My one and only insistence for a spoiler-free experience

5 stars

Content warning Homophobia, violence,

I'm serious. I don't give two shits about spoilers normally (though I'm not disrespectful, I'll tag), but the less you know about this book the first time you go in, the better imo.

It's not a thriller or mystery or anything, there's not really any "twists", it's more, it's just a beautifully-written book, but I feel the first journey you get where you realize you know the protagonist better than he knows himself, and see how that unfolds, is a better experience. There's a part towards the end that's so beautiful and against what people would encourage especially in commercial fiction, and I want you to enjoy that without expectation.

And don't worry, the dog is fine.