A review by angelicathebookworm
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Each of the characters found throughout is so well-crafted, distinct, and they evolve and become much more complex as the novel progresses. I particularly loved Dante and his naturally sweet disposition, but I related more to Aristotle which was an interesting experience to have whilst reading. One of my favourite aspects of the novel is the two boys’ families, their parents are so wonderfully written and great characters within their own right. The novel contains authentic portrayals of both teenagers and the Latin American community as well as realistically showcasing the important themes of identity, love, and relationships. It’s a beautifully crafted novel filled with poetic and impactful prose with an ending that brought me to tears.

The novel is more about the lives of the two young boys and the development of their relationship and so the novel features much more of the small, realistic details of their lives rather than many big, dramatic moments. While this isn’t actually my personal criticism, I very much enjoyed it although the pacing in the very beginning is quite slow, this is more a point to consider before picking this as your next read.

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