Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a coming-of-age young adult novel by American author Benjamin Alire Sáenz which was first published February 21, 2012. Set in El Paso, Texas in 1987, the novel follows two Mexican-American teenagers, Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza and Dante Quintana, their friendship, and their struggles with racial and ethnic identity, sexuality, and family relationships. Since its publication, the novel has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades.

A sequel, titled Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World, was published on October 12, 2021. A film adaptation, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, written and directed by Aitch Alberto, premiered on September 9, 2022.

In the summer of 1987, 15-year-old Aristotle Mendoza meets a boy named Dante Quintana at the local pool. The boys bond over their classical names and eventually become inseparable. Dante teaches Ari about literature and poetry, while Ari is fascinated by Dante's swimming ability and sincerity.

Dante tells Ari that he and his family are moving to Chicago for the next school term because his father was offered a temporary professorship at the University of Chicago. That same day, the two boys see a bird lying injured in the road. When Dante goes into the road to check on the bird, a car speeds around the corner. Ari dives into the street and pushes Dante out of its path, saving his life. While Dante leaves almost unscathed, Ari is hurt very badly. Following the accident, the Quintanas and the Mendozas grow closer. Both boys' mothers talk more frequently and share ideas about their sons.

Before Dante leaves for Chicago, he tells Ari that the two things he loves most in the world are swimming and Ari. However, Ari says that he should not tell him those things, even if they are true. The two boys promise each other that they will still be friends when Dante returns in the summer.

Over the next year, Dante sends Ari several letters detailing his life in Chicago and struggling with his sexuality. Ari learns to drive, falls in love with a girl from school, and searches for answers to his questions about his brother Bernardo, who is in prison for reasons no one in his family will discuss.

The next summer, Dante convinces Ari to kiss him as an experiment. It becomes increasingly clear that Dante is in love with Ari, who appears not to reciprocate Dante's feelings for him.

Ari's father announces that his Aunt Ophelia has had a fatal stroke. At the funeral, Ari realizes that none of his extended family is there. He is told that they disapproved of Aunt Ophelia having lived with another woman for many years. After the funeral, Ari's mother explains that Ari's brother, Bernardo, was arrested for the murder of a prostitute he hired when he was 15 years old. When Bernardo found out the prostitute was transgender, he killed her with his bare fists.

When Ari returns home, Mr. Quintana tells him that Dante is in the hospital. He was jumped by several young men who had seen him kissing his boyfriend Daniel in an alley. Ari tracks down Julian, one of the boys who attacked Dante, at the body shop where he works and starts a fight with him. Mr. Quintana asks if Ari knows why Dante was jumped. Ari tells him that Dante is gay and was kissing another boy. Mr. Quintana admits that he'd guessed the truth because of the way Dante looks at Ari, while Mrs. Quintana tells Ari she thinks Dante is in love with him and that Daniel is just a stand-in for Ari.

Ari's mother eventually calls a family meeting, where Ari finally accepts that he is as much in love with Dante as Dante is with him. That night, the two families go bowling together. After bowling, Dante and Ari go out into the desert, where Ari kisses Dante, fully accepting his love for him. Now free of his fears, Ari is left wondering: "How could I have ever been ashamed of loving Dante Quintana?"

Several themes feature prominently in Aristotle and Dante. These include Mexican-American identity, gender and sexuality, particular masculine gender roles and homosexuality, intellectualism and artistic expression, as well as family relationships and friendship.[1]

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews[2] and School Library Journal.[3]

Kirkus Reviews wrote that "Meticulous pacing and finely nuanced characters underpin the author's gift for affecting prose that illuminates the struggles within relationships".[2]

A Publishers Weekly review calling it "a tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality, and a passionate reminder that love—whether romantic or familial—should be open, free, and without shame."[4]

The book has been positively received by readers as well; in May 2016, more than four years after its publication, it ranked first on a list of popular LGBT fiction on Goodreads.[5]

In an interview with NPR, Sáenz himself noted that "I've never had a book with this kind of response, not ever".[6]

The audiobook, narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, also received a starred review from Booklist's Cheryl Ward, who noted that "Miranda does justice with his quiet, intricate narration". Ward conceded that "Occasional lengthy pauses at chapter ends may be distracting, but this production flaw does not detract from the artistry of the sparse prose and measured pace".[7]

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a Junior Library Guild book.[8]

In 2012, Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal included it on their list of the year's best books.[8]

In 2013, the American Library Association included it on their top ten list of the year's Best Fiction for Young Adults,[9][10] as well as on their Rainbow List.[11][12] The Association for Library Service to Children included it on their 2013 list of Notable Children's Books.[13][14]

Booklist included the audiobook on the following lists: Booklist Editors' Choice: Audio for Youth (2013),[15] "Top 10 Multicultural Fiction on Audio" (2015),[16] "Top 10 LGBTQ on Audio" (2015),[17] and "Top 10 Oscar Nominees on Audio" (2019).[18]

Sáenz announced in 2016 that there would be a sequel titled There Will Be Other Summers.[29] In 2020, Sáenz tweeted that he had finished it, but had changed the title.[30][31] In February 2021, it was announced that the sequel would be published by Simon and Schuster with the title Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. The book was published on October 12, 2021.[32]

An audiobook version of the novel was released in April 2013. Read by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it has a total running time of 7 hours and 29 minutes.[33]

Plans for the book to be adapted for the screen began in 2016, and were in motion by 2018 with filmmaker Aitch Alberto penning the script.[34] In October 2021, it was announced that the film adaptation of the novel would be directed by Alberto in her directorial debut, and would star Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales as the titular characters, along with Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Verónica Falcón, Isabella Gomez, Luna Blaise, and Kevin Alejandro.[35] Filming took place from October to November 2021, and the film had its premiere on September 9, 2022 at the 47th International Toronto Film Festival.[36]

In April 2025, the Lukashenko regime added the book to the List of printed publications containing information messages and materials, the distribution of which could harm the national interests of Belarus.[37]

• Chicano literature

1. ^ GradeSaver (January 17, 2024). "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Themes | GradeSaver". www.gradesaver.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
2. ^ a b "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". Kirkus Reviews. April 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
3. ^ Chunn, Alec (October 1, 2013). "Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World". School Library Journal. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
4. ^ "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". Publishers Weekly. June 24, 2013. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
5. ^ "Popular LGBT Fiction Books". Goodreads. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
6. ^ "Discovering Sexuality Through Teen Lit". NPR. February 20, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
7. ^ Ward, Cheryl (December 15, 2013). "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". Booklist. Archived from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
8. ^ a b "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
9. ^ "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
10. ^ "Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2013". [[Booklist][. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
11. ^ "2013 Rainbow Book List". Rainbow Book List. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
12. ^ "Rainbow List: 2013". Booklist. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
13. ^ "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe | Awards & Grants". Association for Library Service to Children. February 21, 2013. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
14. ^ "Notable Children's Books: 2013". Booklist. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
15. ^ Saricks, Joyce (January 1, 2014). "Booklist Editors' Choice: Audio for Youth, 2013". Booklist. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
16. ^ Saricks, Joyce. "Top 10 Multicultural Fiction on Audio: 2015". February 1, 2015. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
17. ^ Layman, Jez (August 2015). "Top 10 LGBTQ on Audio: 2015". Booklist. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
18. ^ Booth, Heather (February 15, 2019). "Top 10 Oscar Nominees on Audio". Booklist. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
19. ^ "Walden Award". ALAN Online. Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
20. ^ "25th Annual Lambda Literary Award Winners Announced". Lambda Literary. June 4, 2013. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
21. ^ "Michael L. Printz Winners and Honor Books". Young Adult Library Services Association. American Library Association. March 15, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
22. ^ "Printz Honor Books: 2013". Booklist. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
23. ^ "ALSC Book & Media Awards Shelf". Association for Library Service to Children. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
24. ^ "Reviews of the 2013 Belpré Author Award winners". The Horn Book. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
25. ^ "Pura Belpre Award Winners: 2013". Booklist. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
26. ^ "2013 Stonewall Book Awards Announced". American Library Association. January 29, 2013. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
27. ^ "Additional ALA Awards 2013". The Horn Book. January 28, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
28. ^ "Stonewall Book Award Winner: 2013". Booklist. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
29. ^ Sáenz, Benjamin Alire [@BorderPoet] (January 26, 2016). "Ari and Dante sequel: There Will Be Other Summers. Story begins where it left off. Remains in Ari's POV. Stay tuned" (Tweet). Retrieved May 18, 2020 – via Twitter.
30. ^ Sáenz, Benjamin Alire [@BorderPoet] (July 2, 2020). "I promised myself I would not tweet anything until I finished writing the sequel to Aristotle and Dante. I'm happy to announce that I have finally finished writing the sequel and have sent it to my agent. Stay tuned for more updates" (Tweet). Retrieved July 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
31. ^ Sáenz, Benjamin Alire [@BorderPoet] (July 4, 2020). "I had given the sequel the title: There Will Be Other Summers but it really didn't fit the book because it changed so much. THE BOYS took me in another direction and I went with it. And when I was 400 pages into it, I found my title. And I think it's perfect!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
32. ^ Sáenz, Benjamin Alire [@BorderPoet] (February 13, 2021). "Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. October 12th from Simon and Schuster. It took me years to write this book. It's not my book anymore. It's yours now. Sorry you had to wait so long. You're beautiful" (Tweet). Retrieved February 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
33. ^ Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016 – via Audible.com.
34. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (December 13, 2018). "Kyra Sedgwick Launches Big Swing Prods., Company Unveils Film & TV Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
35. ^ "Movies: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". Shelf Awareness. October 13, 2021. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
36. ^ Kleinmann, James (September 9, 2022). "TIFF 2022 Film Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe ★★★★". The Queer Review. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
37. ^ "Мініфарм Беларусі забараніў "Воблачны атлас" | Навіны Беларусі | euroradio.fm". euroradio.fm (in Belarusian). April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.

• Matos, Angel Daniel (2019). "A Narrative of a Future Past: Historical Authenticity, Ethics, and Queer Latinx Futurity in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". Children's Literature. 47 (1): 30–56. doi:10.1353/chl.2019.0003. ISSN 1543-3374. S2CID 181451285.
• Poole, Ralph J. (April 2, 2016). "Boys Kissing in the Desert: Benjamin Alire Sáenz's ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE". The Explicator. 74 (2): 125–128. doi:10.1080/00144940.2016.1176003. ISSN 0014-4940. S2CID 163491887.
• Abate, Michelle (June 10, 2019). "Out of the Past: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, the AIDS Crisis, and Queer Retrosity". Research on Diversity in Youth Literature. 2 (1).
• Galdames, Camila (2019). "Desidentification and Multiplicity in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". English Studies in Latin America: A Journal of Cultural and Literary Criticism (17). doi:10.7764/ESLA.61153. ISSN 0719-9139.
• Sabila, Putri Manarina; Supiastutik, Supiastutik; Sww, L. Dyah Purwita Wardani; Kusumayanti, Dina Dyah (October 31, 2022). "Representation of Sexual Identity Struggle in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". Jet Adi Buana. 7 (2): 157–168. doi:10.36456/jet.v7.n02.2022.6277. ISSN 2614-4050.
• Postma-Montaño, Regan (April 19, 2022). "Naturalizing the Border: Eco-Justice Poetics in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and All the Stars Denied". Research on Diversity in Youth Literature. 4 (2).
• Olivieri, Michelina (November 19, 2018). "Living in the Space Between: Finding the Modern Fight for LGBT+ Equality in Benjamin Alire Sáenz' Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe". The Measure: An Undergraduate Research Journal. 2.