Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Friendship, love, family, identity, secrets, and anger. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe will leave you teary-eyed, wondering about the secrets of the universe. A tale of quirky boys growing up and trying to discover their identity, and of love, between family and friends.

Ari is a boy, trying to find out who he is, with a distant father, much older detached sisters, a close mom, and a brother in prison. He is angry, and feels as though he does not deserve what other boys deserve. He finds himself to enjoy fighting, and is ashamed of it. A lonesome Ari grows up surrounded by a huge secret, and no one, especially his father will talk. He longs for an insight on his older brother, who is in prison. He longs for a conversation with his father, a silent man. Ari often finds himself alone, and worries his parents.

“Even though summers were mostly made of sun and heat, summers for me were about the storms that came and went. And left me feeling along”

“Did all boys feel alone”

“The summer in was not meant for boys like me. Boys like me belonged to the rain”

Across town lies Dante, who struggles with his Mexican-American identity, and the suffocating relationship with his parents. He figures himself out in the book, and helps Ari do the same. A soft boy, used to crying and reading, befriends the boy who likes fighting, and it becomes a lifelong friendship. Ari describes Dante as an “indoor boy”.

A simple trip to the pool brings the boys together and sparks a budding friendship. They go through laughter, pain, tragedy, 2,000 miles, and violence, but always stay together. You grow up with Ari, and experience his struggles, and grow up with Dante, hearing his perspective through Ari’s voice.

The writing of Benjamin Alire Saenz is intoxicating, with detail and beautiful ways of literally putting feeling onto paper. Being a teenager is perfectly captured by Saenz’s writing. It feels as though I am the main character, feeling every feeling he has. I found myself struggling to keep my tears in throughout the entire book. This novel is a must-read for any teenager struggling with identity or self-worth. An emotional tale of friends with vivid language that will instantly transport you into their world.

5 Stars