Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe: Review

 

    While reading Aristotle and Dante, I couldn't help but become invested in their friendship, just waiting for the relationship to begin. Dante's vulnerability and openness beautifully opened Ari's shell and broke him out of his own inner turmoil. This novel continued to promote flashbacks in my life relating to vulnerability, emptiness, and sorrow. I'm sure this book has offered many wonderful things for its readers and I highly recommend this novel, along with the sequel that came out recently. 

    In a review written by Rosa.Reader, they highlight how significant Dante's character was for Ari and his gradual discovery of himself. Dante offers Ari a new perspective on the world, one differing from his usual pessimistic outlook. Dante's family also provides a different display of love and affection compared to Ari's family. With that, Ari learns how harmful his mother's denial and father's distance really is, not only for him but also for their family. Only after figuring out and resolving his family situation was Ari finally able to realize his love for Dante. I completely agree with the reviewer's opinion on how these two characters complement each other perfectly. I can also say that this book has made me cry. 

    Overall, I definitely recommend this novel to those interested in LGBTQ+ relationships/romance and racial & ethnic identity conflicts. Even if those aren't of interest to you, I would still give this novel a chance since I can guarantee it will offer at least one new outlook or view. 

Article Reference:

https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/nov/13/review-aristotle-and-dante-discover-secrets-universe-benjamin-alire-saenz