Literature & Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Published : 12 Oct 2021
- Pages : 528
- ISBN-10 : 153449619X
- ISBN-13 : 9781534496194
- Language : English
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Messily human and sincerely insightful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi.
In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, two boys in a border town fell in love. Now, they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence.
Ari has spent all of high school burying who he really is, staying silent and invisible. He expected his senior year to be the same. But something in him cracked open when he fell in love with Dante, and he can’t go back. Suddenly he finds himself reaching out to new friends, standing up to bullies of all kinds, and making his voice heard. And, always, there is Dante, dreamy, witty Dante, who can get on Ari’s nerves and fill him with desire all at once.
The boys are determined to forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn’t understand them. But when Ari is faced with a shocking loss, he’ll have to fight like never before to create a life that is truthfully, joyfully his own.
“Messily human and sincerely insightful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi.
In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, two boys in a border town fell in love. Now, they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence.
Ari has spent all of high school burying who he really is, staying silent and invisible. He expected his senior year to be the same. But something in him cracked open when he fell in love with Dante, and he can’t go back. Suddenly he finds himself reaching out to new friends, standing up to bullies of all kinds, and making his voice heard. And, always, there is Dante, dreamy, witty Dante, who can get on Ari’s nerves and fill him with desire all at once.
The boys are determined to forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn’t understand them. But when Ari is faced with a shocking loss, he’ll have to fight like never before to create a life that is truthfully, joyfully his own.
Editorial Reviews
"Messily human and sincerely insightful." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is a joyous and heartrending exploration of grief, love and queer belonging." -- Shelf Awareness Pro
"This emotional rollercoaster is buoyed by hope, swoonworthy kisses, and exquisite characterization." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"Sáenz himself is something of a cartographer, drawing an intricate map of the human heart. The result is a brilliant, character-driven novel that challenges its readers themselves to think about life while falling in love with those two unforgettable characters, Aristotle and Dante." -- Booklist, starred review
"In Sáenz's careful, poetic hands and Ari's stubborn, searching voice, the narrative follows the Mexican American couple as they "map out a new world" together, navigating desire, homophobia, racism, sexism, how to be a man without succumbing to toxic masculinity, how to cope with loss without giving in to grief, what it means to have-and be-a good teacher, and, fundamentally, how to love and be loved." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is a joyous and heartrending exploration of grief, love and queer belonging." -- Shelf Awareness Pro
"This emotional rollercoaster is buoyed by hope, swoonworthy kisses, and exquisite characterization." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"Sáenz himself is something of a cartographer, drawing an intricate map of the human heart. The result is a brilliant, character-driven novel that challenges its readers themselves to think about life while falling in love with those two unforgettable characters, Aristotle and Dante." -- Booklist, starred review
"In Sáenz's careful, poetic hands and Ari's stubborn, searching voice, the narrative follows the Mexican American couple as they "map out a new world" together, navigating desire, homophobia, racism, sexism, how to be a man without succumbing to toxic masculinity, how to cope with loss without giving in to grief, what it means to have-and be-a good teacher, and, fundamentally, how to love and be loved." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
Readers Top Reviews
MiguelChandreAmanda
This review has nothing to do with how good the book is, but it has to do with how the book cover was damaged and the delivery was more than two days for prime.
Ben O.
I can’t put words to describe how powerful this book was. In the first book I feel in love with Aristotle and Dante. Their interactions and how their pure feelings grew was the center of everything in the first book; now, The new book shows how the bubble they are fits in the world. Feelings of belonging and love will surround you as you dive into the waters of their universe.
Patrick M Seidel
Thank you Benjamin Alire Saenz for deciding to continue their story. I loved both books. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and glad I felt everyone. I highly recommend both books. Air and Dante wil be a part of my heart for a long time. ???
Nicholas
It isn’t often that a sequel is much more impactful to the first book. I couldn’t book this one down, I fell into the lives of Aristotle and Dante. The pain, happiness, and the tears. It has been a long time that a novel has completely enraptured me. Goes to show as this is the first time I’ve ever written a review.
Russell J. Sanders
When I grow up, I want to be Benjamin Alire Saenz. I want his humanity, his joy, his creative verve, his talents. Alas, since I am, in years, far older than Saenz, my aim may be too high indeed. Saenz, with Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World, has once again left me in awe. With his continuation of the love story of the two teens Dante and Aristotle, he has woven a story of gentleness and power, of understanding, of love. In opening the world to his protagonists he has opened the world to his readers. He packs this novel with insights about parenting, teaching, friendship, forgiveness, faith, joy, sorrow, and love. Ari and Dante are high school seniors, navigating the choppy waters of being gay in the 1980s in a community where being gay is equated with the scourge of AIDS, the condemnation of the Church, the contempt of their classmates. Deeply closeted, Ari spends most of the novel hating his gay self and yet wanting to burst out and be free. He must test the waters gingerly and frequently until he becomes someone who can love without fear. Dante, on the other hand, though still closeted as well, is the more adventurous of the two, the artist, the free-thinker. And through it all, they are nurtured by their loving, accepting parents. That is a quality that is not found enough in gay teen novels. Because the two are in their final year of high school, teachers figure into the mix quite frequently. I was pleased to see that my style of teaching was highlighted in the novel, thus validating my career, and indeed the life I led for thirty years. Saenz has a great respect for teachers, and he beautifully portrays those who teach without judgment, those who invite ideas, those who love their students unconditionally. Saenz says, in his afterword, that he felt his earlier, richly acclaimed novel about Ari and Dante was incomplete. With Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World, he has completed the work masterfully, giving us two gloriously beautiful novels about these remarkable boys.
