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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante, #1)

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Start date: May 2, 2016

Finish date: May 31, 2016

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What Members Thought

Apr 16, 2013 Gremlin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, non-white-pov, lgbtq

Oh man. I really loved listening to this one. And I noticed about halfway through that I was worried it would be ending soon (the difficulty of not knowing where you're at in a book) and being upset by that. The characters in this book were so delightful and the relationships complex.

So. Yes. I really loved this book. I loved that the main character was a young boy that was so out of touch with his feelings (so common!) but still a likeable guy. I loved the many discussions and thoughts about w Oh man. I really loved listening to this one. And I noticed about halfway through that I was worried it would be ending soon (the difficulty of not knowing where you're at in a book) and being upset by that. The characters in this book were so delightful and the relationships complex.

So. Yes. I really loved this book. I loved that the main character was a young boy that was so out of touch with his feelings (so common!) but still a likeable guy. I loved the many discussions and thoughts about what it meant to be Mexican-American. I loved the supportive family structures. I loved that the friendship and love felt real.

But I did have a few gripes that almost makes me want to subtract a star (I haven't yet, since I felt VERY pulled into the universe... but it might still happen). Specifically my issues are... (view spoiler).

*Sigh* But. Still. Beautifully written. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 09, 2019 Avigail rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, audible, physical-book, own

Benjamin Alire Saenz's book is something I heard a lot through BookTube since 2014; that's when I started watching BookTube videos. I bought the book a year ago when the hype for "The Inexplicable Logic of my Life" was high, and the truth is I wanted to read it when I was ready and the right time.
I also heard Lyn Manuel Miranda narrated the audiobook, and I knew I would like to devour it with my eyes as well as with my ears. Alire-Saenz's writing is remarkable, and the plot of the story makes yo ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2015 Karen D rated it really liked it

Shelves: family, ya, friends, romance

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book. I just didn't love it as much as it seems most other people did.

It moves very quickly, it's a really easy read since it's told in a very straightforward way. The characters are complex and interesting. And it covers a TON of really important issues - LBGTQ issues, race issues, family relationships, violence. All wrapped up in a YA plot. Ari had a ton of problems and was not always a likeable character but I always thought he was relatable. I was r ...more

Like · see review