Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sáenz, Benjamin Alire. 2012. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781442408920

PLOT SUMMARY

Aristotle (Ari) and Dante become quick friends during the summer of 1987.  Although it appears that they don’t have much in common, they later realize that they had more in common than they ever thought.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ari is a character that most teenagers will relate to.  He struggles with finding a niche and doesn’t feel that he fits in.  He doesn’t have many friends.  When he meets (and becomes friends with) Dante, it is the first true friend he has really ever had.

This book chronicles the evolution of the boys’ friendship over about 2 years.  Dante and his family move to Chicago for the school year, but return the next summer.  The boys’ relationship ebbs and flows like real-life friendships. 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe is truly a story of self-discovery, of Ari’s discovery of himself. 

Before reading this story, I had read reviews that made me think that homosexuality would be a much larger part of this story than it actually was.  I had made the assumption that this would be story about a romance between two boys.  And in some ways, it is.  But this story is bigger than that.  Sáenz has successfully created a story that makes homosexuality only a minor characteristic of characters and in no way is negative.  As a parent, I found the Ari’s and Dante’s parents’ love for them to be beautiful and powerful. 

The impact that this book may have on teenagers who are struggling with their sexuality should not be underestimated.  It is beautifully written and I highly recommend it.  This is the kind of book that leaves you thinking about the characters long after you finish it.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide: “Two boys, Ari and Dante, strike up a friendship that will change their lives in ways both subtle and profound. When Ari saves Dante's life but breaks his own legs in the process, it cements the bond between the two Mexican American families. Ari's first-person narrative--poetic, philosophical, honest--skillfully develops the relationship between the two boys from friendship to romance.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “The story swells to a dramatic climax as Ari’s loyalties are tested, and he confronts his most deeply buried fears and desires. It’s a tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality, and a passionate reminder that love—whether romantic or familial—should be open, free, and without shame.”

CONNECTIONS

Emily M. Danforth. The Miseducation of Cameron Post. ISBN 9780062020574

David Levithan. Two Boys Kissing. ISBN 9780307931900