Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Narrated by: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is the beloved cult classic about family, friendship and first love, from award-winning author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. This lyrical novel will enrapture readers of John Green, Love, Simon and Call Me by Your Name.  

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison.

Dante is a know-it-all who has a unique perspective on life.

When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they develop 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 the universe, themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

This incredibly moving and powerful Printz Honor Book follows two teen boys learning to open themselves up to love, despite the world being against them.

©2021 Benjamin Alire Saenz (P)2021 Simon & Schuster UK

Critic Reviews

 
 "A tender, honest exploration of identity." (Publishers Weekly)
 

Arya

Would deserve 5 stars just for giving the chance to hear Lin Manuel Miranda perform a teenager that refuses to study Alexander Hamilton

omfg

i loved this book so much. i saw someone say that lins voice acting was ok at best and to that person a ask, did we listen to the same book? this book has amazing writing but lin reading made it 100% times better for me, i couldn't get enough of it.

Great story amazingly narrated!

…..wow, What a story. The characters were written very good and the whole feeling while reading the book is just amazing

Beautiful

One of the most beautiful books I have ever come across. I wish I had read this when I was a teenager, not because it feels young but because I wish I had this influence in my life when I was young. An utterly beautiful story that Lin Manuel Miranda tells perfectly.

Decent Enough

If you're looking for a story with a plot, this isn't it. Lin-Manuel Miranda's voice acting is OK at best.

Doesn't live up to the hype.

It’s less about love but more about acceptance

Honestly I was looking forward to reading/listening to this book but in the end I’d got bored of it.


***** Spoilers ahead *****

The narration is very well paced and impactful with the emotional side of the story but every character sounds the same which was a shame because you can’t tell the two boys apart from the dads or the mums really thought they would be more distinguishable then what they were.

The book really is a real representation of how we deal with accepting ourselves and how it affects others and I’m sure this has happened to people around us without us realising how it’s affecting them so in a sense the book does brilliantly describe the struggles we have and the religious/community upbringing different cultures get

Book wise the story starts strong the connection is real the emotion is real then it loses its footing I spent a lot of the book hating Ari and even finishing the book I still hate him.

It’s just a shame that the majority of the book is spent with one character being a dick because he feels it’s justified to then try and switch it at the end I wished they’d left it as them trying to patch things up and the sequel dealt with them trying to find and accept eachother

I’m not crying you’re crying

So beautiful.

There were moments in the middle where I wasn’t sure where the story was going. I felt restless. But I’m sure glad I stuck with it. Poetry. Moving. Heartfelt. Human. I loved it.

Beautiful

This book was recommended by so many people but I didn’t anticipate how much I would relate to it. A beautiful story that masterfully deal with pain and love that anyone and everyone may encounter in life.

Wonderful

Everything about this book is lovely. The characters, the pacing, the narration. And the writing. The writing is just wonderful. Everybody should read this book. A book about loyalty and the pain that growing up is, love and what defines a good parent. I'm aware this is YA but parents should definitely read this book.

Beautiful

I loved this book! It's a great read and the story is great! It was lovely to see Ari and Dante grow as people and realise there love for each other! I really liked Lin-Manuel Miranda's narration as well.

i cried

This was such a well-written story, and the way the minds of a 15-17-year-old Ari is captured was beyond anything I could have hoped. And by the end... I cried

A heartfelt coming of age story

There was a lot of passion, love and heartache in this story, and in its teller.
The story is that of young, in part homosexual, love between two guys and how they come of age and deal with the world around them. There is hate, discrimination and violence, along with a slew of other issues that young adults are faced with. In the story these topics are explored by a pair of kind-hearted youths who beyond all else, reflect on the world around them. The story is told from Ari's view, but the concern and love that surrounds him permiate the world through his reflections, which I can only admire.

The story was told wonderfully - stellar, really. It was a good match and a good listen, I would wholely recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a sweet story about falling in love.

Beutiful Just BEUTIFUL

Such a beutiful coming of age, sexuality discovery and self identification story Really really amazing