Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
First published February 21, 2012
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.33
Overview
Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s latest novel explores the beauty of relationships and the power of self-discovery. Meet Aristotle, a troubled teenager with a brother in prison, and Dante, a young man with a unique perspective on life.
Initially, the two seem like complete opposites, but their chance encounter at the local pool sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever. As Ari and Dante spend more time together, they discover a friendship unlike any other, one that will shape their future and their understanding of themselves.
In this touching novel, Sáenz beautifully captures the essence of true friendship and the transformative power of human connection.
About the Author
Meet Benjamin Alire Sáenz, an award-winning American poet, novelist, and children’s book author. Born on August 16, 1954 in Old Picacho, New Mexico, he was raised on a small farm near Mesilla as the fourth of seven children.
Benjamin graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1972 and went on to attend St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado where he earned a B.A. degree in Humanities and Philosophy in 1977. He then studied Theology at the University of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium from 1977 to 1981 and served as a priest in El Paso, Texas for a few years before leaving the order.
In 1985, Benjamin returned to school and earned an M.A. degree in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. He later pursued a PhD in American Literature at the University of Iowa and was awarded a Wallace E.
Stegner fellowship. Under the guidance of Denise Levertov at Stanford University, Benjamin completed his first book of poems, Calendar of Dust, which won an American Book Award in 1992.
He then moved back to the border and began teaching at the University of Texas at El Paso in the bilingual MFA program.
Benjamin’s first novel, Carry Me Like Water, received critical acclaim for bringing together the Victorian novel and the Latin American tradition of magic realism. His fifth book of poems, The Book of What Remains, explores life’s ever-shifting memories and reflects on the contrast between the desert’s austere beauty and the brutality of border politics.
In addition to his writing career, Benjamin curated a show of photographs by Julian Cardona in 2005 and continues to teach in the Creative Writing Department at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Editoral Review
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, family, and love. First published on February 21, 2012, the author, Sáenz, is a well-known poet, novelist, and writer of children’s books.
The novel is categorized as young adult fiction, but its appeal extends far beyond that demographic.
The plot of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe follows two Mexican-American boys, Aristotle and Dante, who meet at a community pool and form an unlikely friendship. The novel is set in the late 1980s in El Paso, Texas, and Sáenz skillfully evokes the cultural and social landscape of the time.
The story is told from the perspective of Aristotle, who struggles with his identity, his relationship with his parents, and his desire to understand the world around him. Dante, on the other hand, is more outgoing and confident, but also grappling with his own questions about his sexuality and his place in the world.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way in which Sáenz develops his characters. Aristotle and Dante are fully realized individuals with distinct personalities, backgrounds, and motivations.
The reader becomes deeply invested in their friendship and their individual journeys towards self-discovery. The supporting cast of characters, including Aristotle’s parents, his older brother, and Dante’s parents, are also well-drawn and add depth and complexity to the narrative.
Another strength of the novel is Sáenz’s prose. His writing is spare and understated, but also incredibly evocative.
He captures the nuances of human emotion with precision and sensitivity. The novel is also structurally innovative, with short chapters that move the story forward at a brisk pace.
The themes of the novel are universal and timeless. Aristotle and Dante’s struggles with their identities and their relationships with their families are relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
The novel also touches on issues of race, class, and sexuality, and Sáenz handles these topics with nuance and sensitivity.
One of the few criticisms of the novel is that the ending feels somewhat rushed and abrupt. Some readers may wish for a more satisfying resolution to the story.
However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a masterful piece of storytelling.
Overall, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a beautiful and poignant novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. It is a testament to the power of friendship, family, and self-discovery.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant reading experience.
Rating: 4.5/5
