Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

The problem with my life

was that it was someone else’s idea

My impression after reading this book is... beautiful. It is quirky, thoughtful, sweet, and beautiful.  It will make you smile, and cry, and cry some more, and eager for more, more, more. What happens after this? What about him? Are they going to be alright? 

And rest assured, I read that this book is a part of a series, so, any curiosity and demand for more will, probably, be sated.

So, this will be my Review/Summary of this book. And I warn you, IT CONTAINS SPOILERS. LOTS. OF. SPOILERS. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Why do we smile? Why do we laugh? Why do we feel alone? Why are we sad and confused? Why do we read poetry? Why do we cry when we see a painting? Why is there a riot in the heart when we love? Why do we feel shame? What is that thing in the pit of your stomach called desire?

The protagonist in this book, Ari, is a 15-year-old Mexican-American contemplative loner who lives in  El Paso, Texas in 1987. Ari, a name he chose, is a short for Aristotle, he hates his real name, especially his full name, Angel Aristotle Mendoza. The whole story is narrated from his point of view, and Ari, despite his obvious dislike for his name, always contemplating and thinking and musing, just like his namesake. Ari's mother is a very motherly figure, gentle and strict, who loves his boy very dearly and from what I see in Ari's narration, a strong, wonderful woman. Ari's father is a little complicated, he's quiet and thoughtful, and loves Ari just as much as his wife, but he's scarred. Ari said that somewhere in his mind, he is still at war. I think Ari is right. 

Ari is 'an only child without actually being one' and he hates that. Ari actually has two older sisters and one older brother all whose age is greatly differs from his. His sisters once said that he's born too late and he hates being called that, he also hates that his sisters treat him like their child instead of their brother, 'I don't need three mothers'. Shortly, he hates a lot of things and this book basically starts off as a List of Things Ari Mendoza Hates and Finds Mysterious.

Onward, the brother. The one issue that falls on both Ari's Hate and Mysterious category. The big enigma that is still a mystery until the last chapter of the book. He was a problem child, had gotten into several troubles, and used to hang out with the problematic sort. Then, one too severe mistake got him in prison. Not jail. Prison. So, the family is shaken, no one ever talks about The Brother, Ari got a complex... Ari's male family members are problematic. No wonder he hates guys.

Anyway that is our lone wolf Ari until.... he met Dante.

Dante is a Mexican-American boy, Dante's age, who doesn't fit the Mexican-American stereotype, at all. He's (in my opinion. though I'm sure Ari will agree) smart and kinda weird and adorable and fricking brave. He doesn't back down from who he is because he is Dante. So, they met at the pool, in the midst of Ari trying to learn how to swim while simultaneously ranting about the stupid lifeguard and friends in his head. Dante is (obviously) the one who initiates the conversation. He basically just offer Ari, a stranger, if he wants Dante to teach him. Then they became fast friends. And if you didn't grasp it yet, this is A FRICKING BIG DEAL in Ari Mendoza's life, since he doesn't really have any friend. He has some acquaintances who are in good terms with him, but no friends. He likes to be alone. But he willingly spent time with Dante and even initiated it sometimes. Ari's parents are very glad. Their son is officially not a recluse anymore.

So then, the era of Just-Ari ended, and the era of Ari-and-Dante began. And it is such an amazing ride, I will continue to root for the two of them. You should definitely read it and I need to stop retelling the story in case I'm sued. ENJOY!

To be careful with people and with words was a rare and beautiful thing.