![]() He then begins to learn the value of processing with another person (instead of alone). ![]() The turning point for Ari is when he realizes that his family has been leaving each other alone too much, and decides to take the step to be near his father while his father processes his own trauma. Both Ari and Dante struggle with admitting to themselves and their families their sexualites, and they find different outlets to relieve that stress… until they have to confront their truths. The anger, the grief, and the unwillingness to address it all until forced to. In this part of the book, the emotions become more raw. But most importantly, did I have a friend like Dante? I think I did. Did I ever look at my parents this way? Did I ever think I would grow older and disappoint them? I have tried to find answers to these questions in recent years for sure. This story makes me wonder whether I had the same existential questions that Dante and Ari do. I like the poetic prose as well and the dialogues are very real too – the conversations that any teenager has with his parents, the things we tell our friends,… they take me back to memories I have. Some of them moved though I stayed in the same place. This book has taken me back many many years when I used to be a teenager and had friends who lived next door. It’s been a quick read so far, so I’m interested in seeing how the second half of the book continues! I really like the poetic prose and the author’s use of silence within the dialogues. Being familiar with both Aristotle and Dante as philosophers, it’s fun to see a metaphorical image of these thoughts in the minds of American teenage boys in the 1980s. ![]() Dante is searching for connection, and both Aristotle and Dante find a quiet companionship with each other. Like Ariel said, there are many themes and realities addressed here and I love reading books with deep themes so I’m quite excited! Discussion Part 1Īristotle has a lot of questions, and a lot of doubt. I know about Aristotle and Dante as philosophers so I am curious to see how they connect. This book piqued my interest because of the main character names. My recent experience with Young Adult books hasn’t been the best and I’m hopeful that Ariel has found a book that will get me back into this genre again. I’m excited to see what the author will present in this novel. The idealism, passion, grief, and struggles are taken seriously and addressed in a way that is validating to current young adults and adults like me who are at least a decade out of that age range. I’ve had this book on my TBR for years, and I’m really excited to finally get to it! I have an appreciation for YA books that take the real and existential angst that young adults experience as they become more and more aware of the realities of society and give them the weight and attention they deserve. 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 beĬontent Notes: Accident, internalized and expressed homophobia, family in prison Why we wanted to read Aristotle and Dante 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. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. □ Thankfully, I loved this book and am excited to share our discussions with you! Ariel’s comments and notes are in bold-italics.Īristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. This book has won a number of Young Adult awards and the joke was that if I did not like this book, YA might not be my genres at all. ![]() Ariel and I chose Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz to be our February 2020 buddy read. ![]()
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