Play Book Tag discussion

I'm assuming this is tagged due to the Mexican-American teens, and/or the LGBTQ theme.


Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Digital audiobook performed by Lin Manuel Miranda
4****

This is a coming-of-age story featuring two Mexican-American teens trying to figure out their place in the world. Aristotle (Ari) Mendoza is the youngest son of a Vietnam veteran with PTSD and his wife, and the only child still living at home. He has few friends because his interests are different. Then he meets Dante Quintana at the pool. Dante’s father is an English professor, and he shares not only a literary or classical name, but a love of the same kinds of games and reading. To the delight of both sets of parents, the boys become fast friends.

I enjoyed this book and felt connected to these boys and their struggles. I’m way past that stage of life, but I remember the pain of not feeling like I fit in, the joy of finally having a good friend, the heartache when I thought I’d lost her to a different life, the fumblings and push/pull of early romantic encounters. And I loved these two boys, their reliance on one another and their growing relationship. We should all be so lucky to have such a steadfast friend and such understanding parents.

There are some pretty dramatic turns in this story, and Ari, in particular, has much to deal with in his family history, but both boys have supportive parents. However … I was somewhat dismayed by (view spoiler)[Ari’s parents when they seemed to be forcing him to decide to be gay. Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty clear that this is where the story is headed, and I’m glad to see such supportive parenting in a situation that some teens don’t survive. I just think the realization would have been better handled had Ari come to his own decisions and then found that his parents supported him no matter what. (hide spoiler)] So four stars instead of five.

As for the audiobook. Lin Manuel Miranda does a superb job of performing the audio version. He really brings these characters to life.



LINK to my review

This is one of those books i have only in audio because it is Lin-Manel reading it and I once heard him mention how thrilled he was to record it. Still need to listen read.

Book Concierge wrote: "I'm assuming this is tagged due to the Mexican-American teens, and/or the LGBTQ theme.
.."

This is a wonderful review. So, then it's NOT a fantasy like Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. LOL. I don't know where I got that crazy idea, but thank you. I've had it on my tbr for 3 years and it's time to actually get it.

Book Concierge wrote: "I'm assuming this is tagged due to the Mexican-American teens, and/or the LGBTQ theme.



Aristotle and Dante Discove..."

My thoughts exactly, including the spoiler, but I loved it so much overall that I let that go. This was the rare audiobook where I just sat on my couch and listened for the last half hour or so, doing nothing else. Lin-Manuel has the right kind of boyish voice for the story. I am thrilled that he is narrating the sequel that will be out this fall.

This could fit under "made me cry" for next month, in my opinion, as I mentioned I generally cry for happy/satisfying moments, not for the difficult ones.

Nice review! I like the cover...

Robin P wrote: "This could fit under "made me cry" for next month, in my opinion, as I mentioned I generally cry for ha..."

Absolutely!