On By Jenny A
In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle (or Ari) meets Dante one summer at the pool. They become close, which is unexpected for Ari, who isn’t used to having friends. Ari is angry a lot of the time, and grappling with becoming a young man, and with the fact that his brother is in prison though he doesn’t know why. As his relationship with Dante develops, however, he learns things about himself and the world he didn’t imagine.
Both the main characters are fantastic. Ari is prone to melancholy and anger, while Dante’s more positive. His kind view of the world serves as a good contrast, though there is also a sadness attached to him. The way these two interact and play off each other is fascinating and wonderfully written. Their conversations are by turns funny, touching, and painful. It’s a complex relationship Sáenz has crafted, and I loved reading about its progress.
The other characters, particularly Ari’s and Dante’s parents, feel well fleshed-out and explored. They have their own arcs throughout the novel, which is, to me, somewhat rare to see done so well in young adult novels. I’m very fond of all these realistic, lovely characters.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book. The tone is definitely melancholy, but the themes explored such as love, family, growing up, race, and sexuality are portrayed thoughtfully. And ultimately, this is a bittersweet, hopeful, beautiful book.
Overall rating: 8.7/10
I'm an avid reader and literary enthusiast with a demonstrable passion for literature, especially contemporary works that delve into complex themes and character dynamics. My extensive knowledge encompasses a broad range of genres, including young adult fiction, and I've closely followed the literary landscape up until my last update in January 2022.
Now, let's dive into the analysis of the provided article on "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz:
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Title and Author: The article discusses the book "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. This novel has gained recognition for its exploration of themes related to identity, relationships, and self-discovery.
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Plot Overview: The story revolves around Aristotle (Ari) and Dante, who meet during a summer at the pool. Ari, who is not accustomed to having friends, forms an unexpected bond with Dante. The narrative delves into Ari's struggles with anger, his journey to young adulthood, and the mystery surrounding his brother's imprisonment.
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Character Analysis: a. Ari:
- Prone to melancholy and anger.
- Unaccustomed to friendships.
- Engages in self-discovery through his relationship with Dante.
b. Dante:
- More positive and kind.
- Serves as a contrast to Ari's temperament.
- Contributes to the complex dynamics of their relationship.
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Character Relationships: The article praises the well-crafted and fascinating relationship between Ari and Dante. Their interactions are described as funny, touching, and painful. The complexity of their relationship is highlighted as a key strength of Sáenz's writing.
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Secondary Characters: a. Parents:
- Ari's and Dante's parents are well-fleshed-out and explored.
- They have their own arcs throughout the novel.
- Uncommon to see such well-developed secondary characters in young adult novels.
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Themes Explored: The article mentions several themes explored in the novel:
- Love
- Family
- Growing up
- Race
- Sexuality
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Tone and Writing Style:
- Describes the tone of the book as melancholy.
- Appreciates the thoughtful portrayal of themes despite the melancholic tone.
- Acknowledges the bittersweet and hopeful nature of the book.
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Overall Rating:
- The article concludes with an overall rating of 8.7/10, indicating a highly positive assessment of the book.
In summary, "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" is praised for its well-developed characters, intricate relationships, and thoughtful exploration of various themes. The article provides a nuanced perspective on the book's tone, character dynamics, and the overall reading experience.
