Name: Adya Rani
Class: VIII
School: Kendriya Vidyalaya NERIST
Title of the book:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Date of publication: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
I don’t even know where to begin! So I read this book last month and as a book lover, I loved this book so much. The book surprised me how much it was about family and being kind to yourself and others. This book is a contemporary novel about these two Mexican - American boys Aristotle who liked to be called as Ari and another boy Dante. At the starting of the book, both of them are 15 years old. And this story is set in 80’s so there is no texting and stuff. They either call each other or just walk to each other’s house. This book starts in the summer time. Ari and Dante are totally different in nature. Ari is an introvert and depressed boy while Dante is its opposite. At the beginning of the book, they meet at the swimming pool for the first time and Dante teaches Ari how to swim. Dante always let his emotions out. There’s a few times in this book where something miserable would happen and Dante would let it out, he would cry but Ari would just stand there like he had no tears inside of him. The main focus of the story is just the friendship of Aristotle and Dante and their growing up and stuff. They don’t have a lot of friends, or you can say Dante was the only friend of Ari. And one more special thing about this book is that both of their parents are also an important part of this story, they have basically understanding about everything. The relationship between Ari and his parents and Dante and his parents was just so adorable. Ari and his father don’t have that much understanding between each other but I love the relationship between Ari and his mom. At one part of the book when they are talking, Ari says “You know mom, someday I’m gonna break some of your rules” and she replies “I know, but please do it behind my back”. One of my favourite scenes of the book is Dante’s version for his shoes, it just freaked me out. I thought that it was so funny. Ari also has an elder brother who is in prison, although they don’t tell you what he’s in prison for. Ari’s parents never talk about his older brother so Ari has all of these feelings that he didn’t really understand where depressed boy while Dante is its opposite. At the beginning of the book, they meet at the swimming pool for the first time and Dante teaches Ari how to swim. Dante always let his emotions out. There’s a few times in this book where something miserable would happen and Dante would let it out, he would cry but Ari would just stand there like he had no tears inside of him. The main focus of the story is just the friendship of Aristotle and Dante and their growing up and stuff. They don’t have a lot of friends, or you can say Dante was the only friend of Ari. And one more special thing about this book is that both of their parents are also an important part of this story, they have basically understanding about everything. The relationship between Ari and his parents and Dante and his parents was just so adorable. Ari and his father don’t have that much understanding between each other but I love the relationship between Ari and his mom. At one part of the book when they are talking, Ari says “You know mom, someday I’m gonna break some of your rules” and she replies “I know, but please do it behind my back”. One of my favourite scenes of the book is Dante’s version for his shoes, it just freaked me out. I thought that it was so funny.
My opinion:
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. This book is just so addictive. It blew my mind! The thing that’s really interesting is that it doesn’t have a plot, and it really felt like a kid living his life and trying to figure out stuff. The way the author treats his characters with such gentleness, reminded me that I need to treat myself and others too that way. There are just so many great things going with this book even though it doesn’t have a shocking plot. And all I can say is that this book took my breath away.
Overall impression/conclusion:
I want everyone in this world to read this book. And I’m pretty sure one who reads it is totally gonna enjoy it. So what are you all waiting for! Just buy this awesome book and experience the thrill I have gone through.
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