A follow-up to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, in which our two young men learn a lot more about themselves, life and love. It's a long book, and I thought after the first 100 pages or so that I wouldn't go on with it; I thought it was well done, and important, and probably would be marvelous for its target audience. But it wasn't meant for the 70-something straight white woman demographic, and it didn't seem to be moving the chicos along very far from where we left them in the first book, so even though I love the characters I almost let them carry on without me. But the pace picked up, and a lot more exploration---"mapping" is the recurring metaphor--of their place in the world started to happen. Events developed very quickly once Ari and Dante accepted that they were in love, and
began working through their quest for identity on several fronts.

This story is set in the late 1980s, when AIDS was devastating gay men, and families were doing their best to hide the true nature of their deaths. It seems to me that that aspect of the time is not given quite enough weight here. I know teenagers consider themselves bullet-proof, but the adults in their life were not worried enough. I remember that epidemic, and there was palpable fear everywhere, because nobody truly understood the disease or who was at risk.

If anything, this novel is a bit too affirmative, as friends and family of the protagonists are overwhelmingly accepting and supportive of their relationship. I know the author himself did not experience this sort of happy youth, and was not even able to acknowledge to himself that he was gay until mid-life, with the aid of a therapist. Perhaps he has written this story as an alternate narrative for himself...a dream of what might have been. Not that everything is sunshine and roses---there is insecurity, grief, angst, muddled-up emotion, but nobody is ever seriously floundering for very long before a friend or a parent buoys them up. There are stupid adults and typical teenagers too, but they get their comeuppance or see the light eventually. At one point near the end, Dante quotes Hemingway's Jake Barnes...and it's very apt. It would be pretty to think that this all could have happened. ( )

You guys! I am speechless. I have no idea why every single review that I came across for Ari and Dante 2 on the gram was disappointing because I, on the contrary, was deeply invested and enamoured by it.

Ari and Dante dive into the waters of the world is the aftermath of them discovering the secrets of the universe. (As if it was not obvious already)

‘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.’

Benjamin Alire Sáenz lived up to his reputation of weaving stories that not only touch and warm your heart but also are incredibly insightful.

‘The world would be a better place if everyone did more thinking and less talking. There might be a lot less hatred.’

Through the lives of Aristotle and Dante, the author speaks out about homophobia, racism, grief, mental health, and what it feels like to be surrounded by people that love you, yet craving for it. The delicate balance he creates between the struggles of balancing a relationship in a world riddled with homophobia along with everything else is unmatchable.

‘You're every street I've ever walked. You're the tree outside my window, you're a sparrow as he flies. You're the book that I am reading. You're every poem I've ever loved.’

Read this book because it might help you cope with loss.

Read this book because it might teach you how to Love.

Read this book because it might show you how to be loved.

Read this book because it will surely leave a lasting impression on you. ( )

“So I became an artist and a poet so I could paint and write the things that mattered—even if it only mattered to me. And that is the only thing that matters.”

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is the sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. It is a Young Adult LGBT fiction. While I enjoyed this novel, I did not fall in love with it as I did with the first novel.

“I’d never found it difficult to keep my mouth shut—but maybe I should think about keeping my mind shut when it came to judging the things other people did that I didn’t understand.”

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is centered around Ari’s senior year, his relationship with Dante, and accepting himself and others. Ari goes through a lot of growth in the relationships present throughout this novel, including the relationship with his parents, siblings, Dante, and friends.

“I wondered why everyone thought about God so much and I tried not to think of him at all. Because so many people had decided he didn’t love me. I wondered why people felt they could speak for God.”

Ari and his father reach a peak in their father-son relationship for the first time in years. Ari’s dad opens up a lot to Ari in ways he hasn’t before, and their relationship improves dramatically. Ari treats his friends better and makes more effort to maintain his friendships. Best of all, Ari develops into someone he doesn’t hate and starts to embrace and accept who he is. During this novel, Ari does experience a major loss that sets his character growth progress back. Dante and the other characters don’t seem to develop much, if at all, except for Ari’s dad.

“But when we got in a war, they told us that we were fighting to defend the freedoms that we have. They didn’t tell us we were only fighting for the people who agreed with whatever the hell our politics were.”

If you have been curious about Ari’s brother, Bernardo, he makes an appearance in this novel. Most of your questions—if you still have some—will be answered.

“When you know you’ve made a mistake, don’t live in it.”

While Ari has more friends, their characters are slightly flat. Sometimes they feel individual and well-rounded until they get sentimental and deep, and their statements sound like they belong to Ari. I understand certain things need to be said, but the right character must say them. If that character needs to be the person to say it, then it should be in their voice and style.

Overall, I still think this is an excellent novel with some crucial life lessons about recognizing the world around you, the dangers, and the changes we need to make—individually and as a society. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is a touching story about a young man navigating the last steps into adulthood and the importance of carrying the right people into the future with you. We are all important to the universe, and everyone deserves to love and be loved. ( )

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
Aristotle and Dante, Book 2

I Picked Up This Book Because: #Bookopoly/Continue the series

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: PW Public Library
Dates Read: 4/18/23 - 4/21/23
Stars: 3.5
Narrator(s): Lin-Manuel Miranda

The Characters:

Aristotle Mendoza:
Dante Quintana:
Parents, School Friends

The Story:

This book had its ups and downs for me. Some of the parts were incredibly moving and some were incredibly boring. Dante and Ari are growing up and preparing to face the world. It’s a world much different than we face today. I spent a good part of the beginning of this book wondering when it was set (1988 if you are curious). The difference in American culture surrounding gay relationships then to now in 2023 is somewhat blinding but also somewhat the same. There are still bigots and people who can’t accept the happiness of others but there is also the lack of pride and being open with the world about your true self.

The Random Thoughts: ( )

Every so often a book, or set of books, comes along that changes your life, or soothes an ache you hadn’t known was there. That was what these two books have done for me.

Everyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation can find something to relate to.

Like Ari I know what’s it’s like to feel so much, to want to say so much, and not be able to. I know what’s it’s like to feel undeserving of the love and affection of those I care about more than life itself - and like Ari, through my own journey through life, I’ve come to know just how wrong I’ve been.

***light spoilers below***

Aristotle and Dante would have been about 43 years old on June 26, 2015 when marriage become legal for all in all 50 states. They would be about 49 today. I’d like to think that they made it. That their love transcended all of the obstacles they faced and that somewhere out there in a desert in Texas in a spot so dear to them both they spend their wedding anniversary gazing up at the stars. ( )