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)

Dive into the award-winning, internationally renowned book that is a “tender, honest exploration of identity” (Publishers Weekly) and distills lyrical truths about family and friendship—featuring images from the film!

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 is the author of In Perfect Light, Carry Me Like Water, and House of Forgetting, as well as the author of several children’s books. He won the American Book Award for his collection of poems Calendar of Dust. Sáenz is the chair of the creative writing department at the University of Texas-El Paso.

Reviews for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

[Juloa · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Not the complete audio. . . . . . .

[Fam Rojas · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

There are so many issues with this book that just made it painful to finish. The choppy, cringy, unrealistic, and bland dialog; the plot that doesn't go anywhere; the nonexistent character development; the absolutely trashy and frankly offensive Spanish; a small instance of transphobia; and finally, the terribly executed gay story and romance. Many other comments go into detail about these topics so I just wanted to make a short list. And yes I do know that this is an award-winning book and nothing I say will change that but I just have to call out garbage when I see it and this book was truly disappointing and now I'm bitter.

[virago77 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First person perspective quickly became a non-issue once I got a few chapters into this book. This is probably the best first person story I've read.All the feels. So, so many feels. This story was so profound. I felt like I was Aristotle, or Ari to his friends. He was a lonely, lonely boy, and though I had good friends--great friends growing up, I remember feeling such an aching loneliness at times. I also remember being caught in my own private wars and living inside my head, keeping so many of my thoughts to myself.Ari was a beautiful boy who was confused not only about himself, but about the entirety of his family. His father returned from the Vietnam war a shell of his former self--not that Ari would know that because he was born after his father returned from the war. It was as if whatever haunted his father was inherited by Ari. He grew up being so bothered by the fact that he didn't know his father because he wouldn't let anyone in. He grew up as practically an only child because his siblings were so much older than him. He grew up hating that his brother, who was in prison, was treated as though he didn't exist. He hated that there were so many secrets in his family, yet he didn't want to share any of his secrets either. There was so much anger and confusion roiling around inside of Ari. And it really came through in the writing. I just wanted to hug him, and I remember being him.And then Dante came into his life. Dante was such a polar opposite of Ari, but like a light in the otherwise darkness of Ari's mind. They were a strange pair, Aristotle and Dante, but they fit so perfectly together. Dante taught Ari to swim, and became Ari's first ever real friend, let alone best friend. He immersed Ari int art, and books, and a different family life than he was familiar with. Dante made Ari feel things that he didn't want to. He made Dante want to share his mind, which was something Ari just didn't do.Watching them fall in love... It was amazing and beautifully written. This was like a slice-of-life, but with a plot. I wasn't always certain they were falling in love. The author, in my opinion, keep me wondering. I figured Dante out pretty easily, but Ari, as Dante called him, was "inscrutable". Just when I thought maybe he returned Dante's feelings I was like, oh maybe not. Even when Dante was beaten badly enough to be hospitalized, and Ari found out one of the boys who had done it, he went ballistic and returned the favor to the little punk. Maybe I'm just clueless, but I certainly would destroy anyone who hurt my bestie, and I would definitely have pushed her out of the way of a moving vehicle. That's what besties do, or at least I thought so. Which is why it made sense to me when Ari continually said he hadn't done it on purpose, it had just been a reflex. Protecting people you love-no matter the manner of love--is a reflex. You don't think about it, you just do it. I honestly believed for the longest time, that Ari loved Dante as a friend. Their experimental kiss threw me off because the author tried very hard to make the romantic feelings seem one-sided...or as I said, I'm just clueless.I'm not doing very well on this review. This book has got me shooketh. It was just a beautiful story, and I loved every page of it! It was sad and funny and exciting and heartbreaking. Dude, this book made me cry. Not full-on ugly cry, but I got misty and that's a good as tears when it comes to me. This book also triggered me a bit. But it was a me-thing. I was reminded, every time Ari thought about his father, of how much I miss mine. And like with many other books on my shelves, I can't believe it took me so long to read this.

[Daniel Leroux · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a cute story. Did not expect the ending even though I could relate. Can wait to see the movie when it comes out.

[joe edmondson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was amazing and made me feel so much in my bisexual heart I absolutely loved it.

[debbie13410 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

* In my opinion Ari and Dante did not discover the secrets of the universe.
* I was often bored and maybe that is because adolescent angst isn't my thing.
* I have been to El Paso a couple of times last year and that was nice reading about it.
* This was set in the 1980s when I was a teenager.
* LBGTQ

[elenchus_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Saenz stitches together several different "books" so very well, it's not so much the stitches not showing as he includes separate storylines which thematically reinforce one another. I did not guess the ending, though in retrospect it seems inevitable. The most satisfying resolution to a story such as this, when the journey is as important as the destination.

[auntieg0412 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't like the writing style, which seems geared toward much younger readers than the subject matter warrants. And to me the story is told in an almost frivolous way, again not quite appropriate for the subject. If I had read this as a teenager I would have felt insulted by the author "dumbing down" the writing. Disappointing.

[Halina Kaczmarek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful, coming-of-age book. Loved the writing style and all the characters.

[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!

[Marcelo Rodrigues de Oliveira · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Romance Drama Novel, and swear to god I loved it. Why did it have to end !!!

[Ari Torres · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book at least once a year as it's my favorite book. This was the first time I've listened to the audiobook and it just adds to the experience.

[angela alexander · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book. Sweet and tender. Funny. I enjoyed it because the book didn’t ‘try too hard’, it realness meant the story kept flowing and kept the reader engaged.

[Kate Page · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic coming of age story about young love and self discovery. Audio book read by Lin Manuel Miranda is a delight for all Hamilfans!

[Ellison Clifford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Awesome listen w a great story and wonderfully developed characters. Heads up near the end there's a scene where they repeatedly used the term "transvestite." Just to be aware of it!

[Lucky Muruni · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This audiobook is undeniabley amazing,anyone who reads this book is surely gonna fall in love with Dante and Aristotale.These two boys are beautiful ,I wish I could go into the story and live the life they were living.This novel is perfect blend of friendship and love.

[nju · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love lin. His voice is great. The book too but everyone knows that by now.

[Avery · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 This is soooo good! This is one of the most realistic book about teenagers. I rated it 4.5 because some chapters kind of bore me out but i added a few points because Lin-Manuel Miranda so great at narrating.

[Jake Barnum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Favorite book of all time now!!! So so so good

[Matthew Martinez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wish I had this book when I was growing up

[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.