Review by Sean Click for EDRL at Sonoma State

Set during the mid nineteen eighties in El Paso, Texas Aristotle  and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a Young Adult fiction novel that delivers a message about friendship, family and unconditional love that could resonate with a much older audience too.   First published in 2012 the book written by Benjamin Alire Saenz provides through its characterization of Aristotle and Dante a relatable protrayl of the angst and frustration associated with being a teen age boy who is different from his peers and who is redifing his relationships with his family as he matures.  

Despite being the same age, Latino and growing up in the same town, Dante and Aristotle are very different.  One is a an only child and one has sisters and a brother. One is close with his father and one is not.  One is into reading, poetry and art and the other loves to lift weights and tinker with his pickup truck.    Despite these differences the two become fast friends and develop a strong friendship that leads them both to discover their true selves.

Saenz writtting is well crafted with vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue.   I was transported thirty years into the past while reading this book to a place that I have never visited that felt very familiar.   The message is touching and young men and women would benefit greatly from expereincing the relief of self discovery and familial acceptance that takes place over the course of Dante and Aristotles story.  I highly recomend this book.  

One word of caution I must add.  The young men in this book experiment with Marijuanna and Alcohol which is typical of the setting and the characters' ages.  The drug use is not gratuitous and does serve as as means of understanding of why teenagers feel the need to experiment with substances as they try on evolving identies towards becoming adults.