Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Now a major motion picture starring Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, and Eva Longoria!
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)

This Printz Honor Book is a “tender, honest exploration of identity” (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about family and friendship.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781442366060

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Benjamin Alire Sáenz writes poetry and prose for adults and teens. He was the first Hispanic winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and a recipient of the American Book Award for his adult literature. His award-winning books for young readers include the beloved Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a Printz Honor Book, Stonewall Award winner, Pura Belpré Award winner, and Lambda Literary Award winner, and its #1 New York Times bestselling sequel, Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. He lives in El Paso, Texas.

Reviews for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

[Nady CR · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book made me cry all the way and I loved every second. It took me a while to get into the family history of Ari, but god there's nothing like longing to keep me going. I think raw adolescent emotions where nicely explored and the struggle with identity made it all the better.

[Andy Goldman · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A third of the way through, I still have no idea what the MC wants or where the story is going. There is no drive or causation in the story. I don't get it.

[Bris · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lei este libro en 3 dias. La verdad no podia para de leerlo. Tiene un que otro chapter en donde la historia se pierde pero los primeros y ultimos capitulos compensan eso. Ser Mexicano en los 80s y guey, no era muy facil. La forma en la que el autor describe las emociones de Ari, sus frustraciones y la relacion entre el y Dan, esta muy bien construida, fue muy cuidadoso en escribir las escenas "incomodas", haciendolo un libro ideal tanto para adolescentes como para adultos.
Leeria otro libro de este autor? Por supuesto que si.

[Denise Keang · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Don’t remember what happened much. But remembered that I enjoy it while I was reading this book

[Vincent Drenth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I did not want this book to end. I love the (1 word) conversation of the main characters. Great plot. Wonderful narrator.

[melissa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Could have used more emotion but it was a pretty great audio.

[lilly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The thing is that I've read 'They both die at the end' before reading this one.It got me thinking about philosophy and death and life and love. I knew it was a gay love story. I also knew that this was a gay love story. What I actually want to say is that those two story may be very different but so alike at the same time. I love them both so much because they teach you to embrace your emotions and love and life as a whole. I love Ari and Dante and Mateo and Rufus and I think that in some universe the four of them are good friends who go on double-dates together.
I recommend this book to anyone who struggles with themselves sometimes and who doesn't know yet, who they are. It's a book that makes you feel complete and perfect and loved. But that's what books are there for, aren't they?

[Ray Ramirez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be such a beautiful story through all the ups and downs. Me heart embraced the characters and their developments. Completely found myself emerged within the homes of the two main characters. Culturally relatable which I don’t encounter often.

Finished this book in two days - had to catch my breath. And still wanted more.

I noticed it was written in 2012. Presently, 7/26/2020; I read a sequel is be announced in addition to a movie via the author’s Twitter posted two days ago! So glad I discovered this little world now versus 8 years ago. That’s a long time to wait for Ari and Dante’s return.

[Morgan Edwards · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and how easy it was to get attached to the characters.

[Anjana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is pure gold! 5/5 ? so many things that were said but yet unsaid. It really has hidden depths to it. So many layers to go through. I just LOVE it!

[Emily Cooley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was fine, but I wanted a different ending. I really didn’t want Ari to find his homosexuality. I would’ve liked him to be straight and the two of them figure out how to be friends being so different.

[julija zvonar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the book, the naration was amazing, really soft, really nice to listen to, I actually fell asllep once while listening to it and not because it was boring, no, but because the voice and the story just fell perfectly in place with each other.
The love the boys had for each other was so pure, so beautiful and I was here for it. All in all really good book. :)

[Gabrielle Henery · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Over all I liked it, the description I thought it was ok is pretty spot on. It was entertaining but nothing to deep or life changing. I liked it enough that I am willing to give the sequel a try.

[יהודית עמית · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book made me cry. I never cry because of books. I did because of this book. Dante is so funny and sweet and Ari just breaks my heart. The writing is so beautiful and moving. Loved the narration.

[Anett Szoládi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love, love, love, this story was so innocent and the audiobook has such a brilliant narration.

[Aurora Lloyd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this books. It is well worth the read

[Lisbet Barrientos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the cutest thing I’ve ever read, five stars

[Charlotte · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a heartbreaking yet sweet story.
The themes of family, love, friendship, trauma and identity were so well put together.
Everyone praises the writing, and I didn’t hate it. I just also didn’t love it. It felt a little distant sometimes, but I guess that fits with Ari’s character.
But overall, a very well crafted story. I finished this last night, and when I woke up and thought about this story, I started to tear up a little again.

Also, the audiobook is great. It’s read by Lin-Manuel Miranda and had I known that, I would’ve picked this up sooner.

[Jose Moreira · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Soy de la comunidad latina, vivo en un pais llamado Paraguay y este tipo de historias me encantan siento muy identificado. por todo!

[Jay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novel is soooo bonita! Makes me miss Whattaburger and Chicos Tacos.

[elizabethjoseph-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good. The writing style is nice. The story itself doesn't follow the usual narrative structure and instead goes for telling us about Ari's life in the timespan given.

[Ana Sofia Vasconcelos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

De aquecer o coração e com um humor tão apurado. Amei!

[John Barroga · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the best recovery book after reading They Both Die at the End.

[kdf_333_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

planned on skimwitting but ended up reading it for real because got it good! These started as 1 1/2 stars and became 3 stars. Ari bored me a lot(a lot) at first. then something happened to the characters and it got really good and i was no longer bored but actually cared about the main character, Ari, who was a rather boring fellow that had very deep thoughts at times.

updated September 2015
i just happened to be copying quotes from [book:Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe12000020](so many great quotes!)when i finished The PErks of Being a Wallflower book. i notice Aristotle and Charlie are both depressed teenagers.

i may have to change my rating of Aristotle because i noticed in Perks Charlie doesn't think all his problems are solved just because he is in love, now has friends, or goes to parties. Charlie gets counseling and still has serious issues but is now hopeful.

rereading scenes from Aristotle i noticed he didn't get counseling. it is actually mentioned several times how Ari doesn't talk and really needs to get his feelings out. if i hadn't just finished reading Perks before copying the quotes i probably would not have noticed that Ari's ending was a lil to "happily ever after." the quotes are beautiful but man Ari is totally depressed. a couple of talks with his folks and "oh all this was just because he didn't know he was gay"... umm Ari still has lots of issues. Ari's coping method was driving to the desert, drinking, and journaling. even at the end he still wasn't really talking and sharing with anyone.

i like how Charlie grows and is learning how to cope with his illness. I like how he acknowledges the fact that he can't get better by keeping stuff to himself. he writes to someone and is forced to talk to a psychiatrist. I like how his friends and other things forced him to confront some hard truths about himself and not all of them were bad! i like the end -how Charlie's life is still not great (all his friend are graduated, his family still doesn't hug or say i love you, he still crys a lot,etc.) BUT he now handles it without breaking down and withdrawing. He has decided to participate in life and it's not dependent on one single person. it's his outlook that's changed.

...please believe that things are good with me, and even when they're not, they will be soon enough.

[erlangeralpacajedis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

 A very quiet book dealing with a rather serious issue. One summer, the lonely Aristotle (call him Ari, please) meets Dante, who teaches his how to swim. The book details Ari and Dante's friendship, the normal process of being a high school boy, and, of course, the secrets of the universe. It isn't thick plot-wise, so there's not a lot more to describe. Just a beautiful, gentle read.

[Karen He · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book: 5 stars
Audio: 5 stars

I've never read a novel like a poem. This is the one, a novel like a poem, every word is like a musical note, and all these words have combined in a beautiful way to show you a lovely song about family, friendship, love, life and the universe.

I love Ari's infinite questions about the meaning of life and the mysteries of the universe. Some of the questions are still bothering me, even though I am a 30+ adult. He has the name of a philosopher, and he does have a philosophical mind. And I love his mind, and I love the way he thinks.

I also love Dante's kindness, pureness, optimism and innocent. Dante is definitely an angel for everyone, including me. But an interesting thing is that Dante thinks his angel is Ari. Because Ari saved Dante's life, Ari fought for Dante's rights, and Ari's first name is Angel.

The relationship between Ari and Dante is so beautiful. They are so much alike yet so much opposite. They both love to think philosophically which makes them distinguished from other teenagers. The difference is that Ari likes pessimistic thinking while Dante loves to think optimistically. They are both not good at getting along with people. But Ari enjoys being alone, while Dante wants to have company. Ari is hard but Dante is soft, yet they are both nice and kind. They are like the two sides of the same coin, inseparable.

I love their parents too! Although they might make mistakes, they are willing to understand their beloved children and make changes for them. I am so desperate for this kind of family bond. It's almost too good to be true. 

[riida_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember reading a random excerpt of this book a long time ago and immediately falling in love with the lovely language. An LGBTQ+ YA story of friendship, family, identity, and falling in love that's very well crafted. It reminded me of 'This is how you lose a time war', but without the time-travelling, dimension-hopping, murdering, super agents.

[Moony Byun · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I don't know what they like about this book, i mean i couldn't see why it is so over hyped

[colie77 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story of friendship, crushes, and family dynamics. This multi-layered story takes you into the lives of two friends and how they navigate their complicated lives.

[Michelle Svay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a sweet story, which brought me to tears at the end. A telling of innocence and coming of age. One of the best listens of the year.