Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World

Description

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

(Simon & Schuster)

As the final year of high school approaches, Ari and Dante explore their love for each other, in Sáenz’s long-awaited sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

For Ari, his world is beginning to open up. After many years of silence, his father begins to open up about his experiences in Vietnam and the ensuing trauma.  Ari and his father begin rebuilding their relationship. His sisters Gina and Susie now seem like allies, leading to more potential, and surprising friendships.

Of course, there is Dante, the boy who has changed his life.  Moving on from friendship, Ari and Dante begin a relationship.  They navigate the joys and pains of young love.  A camping trip into the New Mexico desert and uncertainties about life after high school set the tramlines for their story.

Throughout, however, harsh truths circle the two young men.  The spectre of Ari’s imprisoned brother for instance, who makes a memorable appearance.  They also struggle with what constitutes their sexual and cultural identities. The story is set in the 1980s, so the AIDS pandemic looms over them.  Tremors reverberate through the media and affect their community.

The author packs an awful lot into the story, but the book is better for it. It is a testament to the characters that the multiple plots never feel like too much. There’s an unhurried quality to the Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s tender prose that feels utterly intimate and authentic.

The author’s blog and web page makes for fascinating additional reading.

Stonewall Book Award; Honor Book, Michael L. Printz Award; Pura Belpré Author Award,