Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

April started out kind of poorly for me reading-wise. I found myself in a bit of a reading slump and I still cannot figure out how it happened. I think I wasn’t enjoying the NetGalley ARC I was reading and so it just ended up ruining my entire reading experience. So much so, that I wasn’t able to enjoy any book. I think it took me like 4 or 5 days before I was even able to read more than 50 pages of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. But finally, the clouds opened up and angels started singing, and I was finally able to power through this lovely book.

This Printz Honor Book is a “tender, honest exploration of identity” (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about family and friendship.

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.

Okay, okay, I’m sure you have all heard this time and time again but you’re about to hear it again. The writing in this book is phenomenal. There’s at least one line on every page that is worth being quoted. I will never understand how some authors can just think up some of the most profound and beautiful phrases in the English language. It makes me sick to know that I am just not that creative, sick with jealousy. Me. Constantly. I mean, I’m a pretty decent writer when I try to be but I know that it will never even amount to a fraction of what Sáenz is able to create.

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For me, what really drives this story are the characters. This is one of those stories that if you don’t connect with the characters then you won’t enjoy it. But don’t worry, you will connect with them. Aristotle and Dante are two of the most interesting and well developed characters that I have ever read about. Aristotle has some serious emotional baggage, and is full of angst and struggles with his relationship with his family. I loved watching him grow and confront all of his issues at the end. And Dante is one of those people that if you met in real life, you know you would immediately become best friends.

But I think my favorite characters were actually the family. Unlike most YA novels, the parents in this book are actually caring and really involved in their children’s life. They support them, love them, and are always there when they need them. I know that in real life there are plenty of absent families, but YA just makes it seem like that’s the only family life there is. Thank God for this book. But the truth is, there are TONS of loving families and I’m a bit tired of always having to read otherwise. I don’t want to have to feel bad about having a great support system every time I read a book. And luckily, that wasn’t the case here.

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I didn’t have very many issues with this book. It’s a contemporary so it’s not a very fast-paced story or full excitement, it just moves along at a steady pace. I do wish there would’ve been a bit more development on the whole issue with Ari’s brother in prison but it wasn’t too bad the way it was finally handled. I just would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of a build-up to the big reveal or whatever. It just seemed like there was nothing and then BAM, now you know the whole story. I wish it would’ve been a bit more gradual.

When I finished this story, I had to spend a few minutes gathering my thoughts. Like I knew I enjoyed it but I wasn’t sure if it blew my mind like it had for some people. But the longer I sat there, I started to realize that this book is a quiet beautiful. I just felt really peaceful while I read it. The subject matter was a little heavy but still, I felt at peace. I truly loved it. It helped pull me out of a reading slump and if that doesn’t prove how good it is, I don’t know what will.

Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Did it make you feel peaceful too, or am I just some crazy person?

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wonderfilledreads

Obsessive book reader and blogger. Texas girl. Sports fanatic. Lover of travel, video games, and scented candles. I also just really enjoy sleeping. #noshame

29 thoughts on “Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”

  3. I was a little nervous at the end of your review, but I’m glad you decided to give it 5 stars. This book is so dear and personal to me because I was able to see myself in both Ari and Dante. It’s the kind of book that would have affected me profoundly if I had read it when I was 15.

    Thank you for such a lovely review of one of my favorite YA books ever 🙂

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    1. I adored Ari and Dante. They are both such amazing characters and I just really enjoyed the entire book! I think it’s one of those books that should be required reading in high school. It deals with so many issues that teens struggle with and I think it would be good to help them deal with those issues. I’m glad you enjoyed my review! 😊

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  6. I’ve been contemplating whether to get Ari and Dante but after reading your review, I am very much tempted to run out to the closest bookstore and grab a copy! NOW. Great review, by the way!

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  8. I just finished reading this book and I completely agree with everything you’ve said in your review! I loved the writing and the characters so much that the fact there wasn’t much of a plot didn’t bother me at all, it was all about the development of Ari and Dante.
    I do wish there had been more about Ari’s brother as well, reading the blurb I thought it would be a much bigger point throughout the story than it actually was.
    Great review! I’m glad you liked this book so much 😀

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  10. So glad you overcame your slump! 🙂 I dread the moment it will happen to me! Loved your review. I am intrigued by your ” quiet beautiful” description so that bumps the book up on my TBR. I noticed that YA novels tend to portray the same family patterns, so it must have been refreshing to see a change with this one.

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    1. Oh, me too! Haha I hope you never have one.
      Thank you! Yeah, I’m pretty tired of seeing the absent family in YA contemporaries so this book was an absolute refreshing change of scenery, because the families were so present and awesome. I really hope you enjoy it as well!

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