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A review by wei_lan
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize every chapter was always from Ari’s point of view. There were a couple times I thought it had switched to Dante, only to realize the entire book is from Ari’s POV.
This book made me feel so many things. I relate strongly to the detachment Ari feels for relationships and life, and it was really comforting to read about a character like that and not magically change their outlook and everything gets better.
This book made me feel so many things. I relate strongly to the detachment Ari feels for relationships and life, and it was really comforting to read about a character like that and not magically change their outlook and everything gets better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Medical content, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death
Car accident: Dante tries to save a bird in the street and a car nearly hits him; Ari pushes him out of the way and is badly injured. No death.
Injury/Injury detail: Ari is hit by a car and is in the hospital for a few weeks I think. He has casts on both legs past his knees and a cast on one arm. He heals from it. From the car accident, Dante receives a broken arm and cuts/bruises on his face. Later, Dante is beaten for being gay and his injuries are discussed (mostly bruising and I think rib injuries.) after that, Ari finds one of the guys who hurt Dante and beats the snot out of him (literally breaks his nose).
Medical content: nothing graphic that I remember Ari mentions needing to use a bedpan and getting sponge baths from his mother and one from Dante. Ari has casts and is in the hospital for a week or two.
Alcohol: beer Ari develops a taste for beer and at certain points I got worried that it would lead to alcoholism, but I don’t think it went that far.