The 2015 Book Genre Challenge discussion
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
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March Group Read - LGBTQA (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe)
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@Frogli -- Yes, I am more a fan of dystopian YA, but YA as a literature category is just as varied as "adult" fiction and there is something in there for everyone. Since I am "old," I tend to like the novels where the teenagers aren't splashed in front of your face.Like in Aristotle & Dante, the character of Dante was well-done I thought. He had interests, and a knowledge of himself that surpassed his years, even though he still struggled with teenage issues, like love and identity. But Ari...it was like his mother would blame him for being mopey, and he would throw back, "but I'm 15 I'm supposed to be mopey." NO. Stop throwing your teenageness in my face. I realize you are 15, but that doesn't excuse everything about your ridiculous behavior.
John Green, who is a polarizing author (either you really love him or really hate him), treats his characters with respect, in my opinion. Sure, they are weird and annoying and interesting and dealing with death, and love, and school, and all sorts of common issues, but their teenageness isn't their identifying quality and that's why his books tend to enlighten me more.
Keep reading YA. I am sure you will find something you like.
P.S. can you tell I'm a mom? I was totally yelling at Ari to get his act together the whole damn book, haha.
@Shiraloo I'm not a mom, but I can see where you're coming from with some of the "teenageness" that Ari had. I read a book before this where it was /waaaay/ worse so this was actually a nicer read for me! xD
Shira (Shiraloo) wrote: "@Frogli -- Yes, I am more a fan of dystopian YA, but YA as a literature category is just as varied as "adult" fiction and there is something in there for everyone. Since I am "old," I tend to like..."It's interesting that you bring up John Green, with Ari and Dante I felt the same way I felt when I read JG's books. I connected with their struggle and their pain, like I usually do with JG's characters, who can also be mopey and bitter and conflicted.
But I do agree Ari blamed his age for most of his issues and that wasn't the reason.
Silvia wrote: "Shira (Shiraloo) wrote: "@Frogli -- Yes, I am more a fan of dystopian YA, but YA as a literature category is just as varied as "adult" fiction and there is something in there for everyone. Since I..."@Silvia, you might be right. I might just not enjoy the writing style of the book. I am reading a JG book now (after finishing A&D) and I realize that I might just prefer JG's style. I find myself laughing and feeling sad/happy that I didn't in A&D.
Oh well, I also think I likely had high expectations and it just didn't meet it.
But I did enjoy it! I want to keep highlighting that. I appreciate every reading experience I have, and so I don't regret reading it. And I'm glad you all gave me the idea :-)
Shira (Shiraloo) wrote: "Silvia wrote: "Shira (Shiraloo) wrote: "@Frogli -- Yes, I am more a fan of dystopian YA, but YA as a literature category is just as varied as "adult" fiction and there is something in there for eve..."Oh I laugh so much with JG, he's really funny and that helps balance his books, which are usually sad and somewhat dark and very emotional. But his funny style helps us like his books more.
I can totally see how high expectations can make us not like a book as all the other people did. It usually happens to me as well. For example: Cruel Beauty, The Young Elites and Red Queen. Everyone made those books sound really good and they just didn't meet those expectations for me.
That's okay Shira! You don't have to be afraid to share your opinions! I'm glad you liked it anyway haha! I agree with Tamara that Ari's voice came through the narrative very well. Meg, I hope you get it soon! And I hope you get a chance too Paul! I think you'll really enjoy it! No worries though, take your time haha.
What a beautiful story, feeling so loved.
I was screaming THAT'S WHERE YOU END IT?????? :D but it's a lovely book.
Shira (Shiraloo) wrote: "So I may be in the minority, but I just binge-read it, and while it was a nice book, it wasn't the masterpiece I had hoped for. I don't want to get too harsh on it because I don't want to hurt any..."I kind of agree...I'm still iffy on how I feel about it. Same here, it's not my "favorite", but I did like the story, how it was told, etc. And same with the masterpiece title. I think it deserves that recognition, but on the other hand I'm just like, meh.
(If you want to talk more about it, you can pm me if you'd like).
Suzanne wrote: "I was screaming THAT'S WHERE YOU END IT?????? :D but it's a lovely book."Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed it!! Read the version from Dante's POV coming out soon if you're desperate for more! Haha :)
joanne kwan wrote: "What a beautiful story, feeling so loved."
That's wonderful! It was a book that made you feel. :)
Renuka wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I was screaming THAT'S WHERE YOU END IT?????? :D but it's a lovely book."Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed it!! Read the version from Dante's POV coming out soon if you're desperate for ..."
omg there's a dante pov version *faints* i'd love to see more of his relationship with his parents!
For once, I actually didn't read the book in a day or two, which I think was great, because it really let the book sink in. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but by the end I was crying. There was something unflinchingly realistic about the story, yet the wording was sort of fantastical. I can't have been the only one who thougt it read like a poem, right?
Shivangi wrote: "For once, I actually didn't read the book in a day or two, which I think was great, because it really let the book sink in. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but by the end I was crying. Th..."It definitely felt like that to me as well!
Once I actually had time to sit down and read it, I devoured it. I'm glad this group read gave me an excuse to finally read it! I found Ari and Dante very relatable, and it was a beautiful story.I will say I agree with the critique that Ari's finding himself seemed a bit rushed. Honestly, I got the end I wanted, but it didn't feel like Sanez quite earned that ending, if that makes sense? There could have used another 30 pages exploring some of Ari's own reaction to his personal revelations. I know the book geared us up for them, but I felt like I wanted the aftermath, you know? I don't want to get into spoilery specifics, but the ending almost bumped the book from 5 to 4 stars for me. But reading it was so enjoyable, and I am notoriously picky about endings, so I let it go. :P
But yes! Overall, looooved it! Soooo glad i finally read it!
Shivangi wrote: "For once, I actually didn't read the book in a day or two, which I think was great, because it really let the book sink in. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but by the end I was crying. Th..."I think "lyrical" was the word I used on my review thingie. Really beautiful wordplay in Ari's thoughts.
Suzanne wrote: "Shivangi wrote: "For once, I actually didn't read the book in a day or two, which I think was great, because it really let the book sink in. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but by the end..."I think this is a really quotable book, I know I said it about song of Achilles, but I was highlighting so many quotes when I was reading it, it was amazing. My favorite was "I don't mind the silence and the desert and the cloudless sky. What did words matter to a desert?"
Shivangi wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Shivangi wrote: "For once, I actually didn't read the book in a day or two, which I think was great, because it really let the book sink in. I wasn't sure what to make of it at firs..."True! There were so many beautiful turns of phrase in this book. His voice was one of my favorite parts of this book!
Maggie wrote: "Once I actually had time to sit down and read it, I devoured it. I'm glad this group read gave me an excuse to finally read it! I found Ari and Dante very relatable, and it was a beautiful story.
..."
That is a great point! I definitely agree with you on that. I also felt that as a character, Ari was better developed, but since hearing about the book from Dante's POV, I assume that problem will be soon remedied!
I was a bit disappointed with the ending because it felt really rushed, but other than that it was a beautifully written book.
Lianne wrote: "I was a bit disappointed with the ending because it felt really rushed, but other than that it was a beautifully written book."Other people have had very similar comments! I definitely see what you mean, but I also feel that it was right because it leaves so much open potential. I think the book was more leading up to that moment, so it didn't feel that rushed to me. Glad you enjoyed it though!! <33
Alexx wrote: "There were parts in this book when I was close to tears, mostly at when Ari's parents FINALLY spoke about his brother, and his fathers time at war. BUT, like someone else mentioned (much much) earl..."Aww we're sorry to hear that, but at least you gave it a try! <3 I love hearing everyone's opinions! Those are really interesting points!
I got my mom to read it, and she agreed with me and Lianne about the ending, but other than that she loved it! She was amazed how much she related to Ari because of her own teenage years (distant father with inner demons caused by a war he wouldn't or couldn't talk about, and though the circumstances were very different, she also had a brother no one ever mentioned) and she said the writing was beautiful. :) So thanks from my mom as well for this great group read choice!
Maggie wrote: "I got my mom to read it, and she agreed with me and Lianne about the ending, but other than that she loved it! She was amazed how much she related to Ari because of her own teenage years (distant f..."AHHHH THAT IS SO AMAZING, I'm so THRILLED she liked it!!!! That's the best thing to hear, that someone related to it and enjoyed it. I'm so, so unbelievably glad to hear that. It makes everything worth it! <333
@Maggie I'm so glad your mom loved it! Good books touch hearts no matter if they're YA or adult or any age. I loved that you shared this book with her, what a great idea I might copy you!
So I put this book off after finishing The Song of Achilles because I needed an emotional break and so I read a few chapters and set it down for a while. Honestly I didn't feel too drawn to picking it back up except for the fact that it was a really quick read initially. I ended up finishing it all day yesterday and overall I thought it was good and well written. I think that it would probably resonate with others more than me but it had its good parts...I will agree with previous responses in that I'll probably not remember it too vividly in a few months. If I'm being truly fair I'm just so used to reading fantasy that I could be a bit jaded when it comes to reading something out of that genre lol
Don't get me wrong I loved how they ended it, but they'd spent a long time getting to that point and then suddenly bam! his parents were pushing them together. I don't know. Everything was so carefully done and the ending just wasn't.Happy to hear we're getting a somewhat sequel
When Ari kissed back Dante, I know how the book will end. And why is it that their parents are pushing Ari and dante so much?
Anyway good book, the 7-to-1 ratio is heartwrenching.. The book is heartwrenching.
Sayp wrote: "When Ari kissed back Dante, I know how the book will end. And why is it that their parents are pushing Ari and dante so much?
Now *that* I can answer - because the parents saw without them bringing out the best in each other, they were starting to get into trouble. In Chicago formerly squeaky clean Dante was partying, drinking, experimenting with drugs; back home Ari was getting into fights - which shouldn't have been that big a deal except the parents had the bad example of Brother Bernardo showing them where that can lead. So, they put the boys back with each other where they fit!
Admitedly I haven't read much, I'm working on it as I figure I should at least give it a fair trial lol