"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sánez, Review

When I say I enjoy reading character-driven stories, this is exactly what I mean. Sánez does an incredible job at crafting intensely alive, loveable characters (and damn, do I love Dante).

It is so easy to resonate with Ari, and his sense of smallness, insignificance and incompetence.

"Fifteen-year-olds don't qualify as people" - I'm quite certain I've uttered something similar about myself.

Early Ari shares with me the quality of feeling, well, alone. A master of the art that is analyzing and observing peers, but no good at interacting with them. Feeling as though he lacks something fundamental, something necessary.

"I never ever felt like I was a part of their world. Boys. I watched them. Studied them."

"I just didn't understand how to talk to them"

"It was like they were all a part of this club and I wasn't a member"

So simply stated, yet these words somehow manage to creep under my skin. Yes, they sting, and sting painfully at that, while simultaneously being soothing. My problem is shared by others. This brings comfort.

If I could critique one aspect, I'd mention that at times this book felt a little infuriating. Early chapters are written very simplistically. Sentences are short, straightforward, extremely to the point. No bother for embellishments or any artistic language of sorts. Is this an invitation for the reader to fill in the blanks themselves, coming up with their own interpretation and making the message as deep and profoundly as they'd like? Or is there no hidden meaning - and this novel is to be read and understood literally, as it mirrors the simple straightforward way 15-year-olds think?

I'd like to assume it's a little bit of both. Sure, this book serves as a great basis for exploring philosophical inquiries - but it's also written in such a plain and literal sense that it can be read without exuding much effort. The choice is, ultimately, up to the reader.

This is one of the books you just get sucked into. Fast-paced, short chapters, intimate and personal; as though I were reading someone's private diary.

As a person who often seeks to distract myself from my own mind, by continuously consuming content (online videos, radio, music), this book gave me the final push I needed to switch my music off for a little while. To live in my head a little more, and be less strict on my thoughts; allowing them to play around and dance as they wish. It can can be scary to listen to your own thoughts sometimes, but you'll find that they have much to teach you, and there is so much to discover. Maybe my mind will help me discover all the secrets of the universe.

Though I must admit that the finale was satisfying, I do wish that we got to experience more of the two boys as lovers. The final two pages really were the apex of the entire novel, and it would have been lovely to have this romantic dynamic expanded upon further. That being said, being a coming-of-age novel I understand the importance of having a long and developed build-up to such a climax. The book excellently portrays the mental disturbances of such a turbulent and challenging period of life.

Without a doubt, I'll be getting my hands on the sequel as soon as possible.