Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

54 reviews

spootilious's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 

Read: August 21, 2023
 Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 

Series: Aristotle and Dante#1
 Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
 Genre: Young Adult
 Rating: 3.5/5
 Review: 

The moment I began reading this book all I could think of was how Benjamin Alire Saenz’s writing style reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Of Love and Other Demons is perhaps one of my favorite magical realism novels I have experienced thus far. And as for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe… It is magical realism at its finest! Perhaps not quite Gabriel Garcia Marquez but I’m not surprised it has won so many rewards. 

Obviously, I find the writing absolutely beautiful. The story, although engaging, had no real plot and tended feel a bit forced with some of its dialog but I was never bored. Overall, it was a simple but beautifully written slice of life. 

I will admit, though, it was not what I expected this book to be. The light hearted young adult LGBT romance I expected turned out to be the study and exploration of it is to be human; of the loving and strained relationships between a parent and their child; of the existence of one’s self outside of expectations both imposed and internal; a study of the complexity of emotions; and a simple coming of age story. This book was all of these things and more…. And less. 

I think (and this is just my opinion) that Benhamin Alire Saenz didn’t write this book to be simply read… but rather to be experienced. While, that sounds simple on the surface it can be a very arduous task for the author and for the reader. Experiences are not universal and thus will not always appeal to some individuals, so I cannot recommend this book to just anyone. 

However… 

If you are one that loves poetic verse, the simplicity of a slice of life novel, or simply wish to try to discover the secrets of your own universe…. I cannot recommend this novel enough. 

 Quotes: 

“Words were different when they lived inside of you.” 

"We all fight our own private wars." 

 

TW: Violence, homophobia, transphobia, foul language, injury, Mentions of Murder, Underage drinking, drug abuse 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Animal death, Transphobia, Hate crime, Violence, Medical content, Drug use, Death, Cursing, Grief, Drug abuse, and Murder

juliaaaaaa's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Murder, Violence, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Medical content, Hate crime, Bullying, Car accident, and Death

bluebreex's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Homophobia

Moderate: War, Animal cruelty, and Mental illness

Minor: Death

vr_alyssa's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

2017 review:
Those five stars relate to plot. It really got to me. Just a story of two teenagers, best friends, and life in 1987. It's heartbreaking because it's easy to relate to (no matter your gender, race or sexual preference). I really loved this book.

2023 review:
I decided to re-read this book on a whim. I honestly don't know why. I mean, I already had a pile of books I'm currently reading. Simultaneously, I had forgotten how much I love this book. Not because it's eventful, or fast-paced and action packed (like most books I read these days), but because it's so incredibly human. I don't know if I appreciated how beautifully it depicts the teenage condition last time I read this novel, or how it demonstrates how complicated unconditional love can be. But man. I ugly cried a couple times near the end, which caught me off guard. Because I honestly did not remember how much I love this book, just that I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Car accident

Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Homophobia, Cursing, Drug use, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Murder and Death

ronan900's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Violence, Animal cruelty, and Car accident

Minor: Hate crime, Transphobia, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Cursing, Drug use, Murder, Alcohol, and War

daphneembry's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was a beautiful and accurate representation of adolescence and discovering your own queer identity. It was so real and honest. It was slow at times, but once I was about halfway through, I couldn't put it down. As a queer person, it was so easy to see myself in this book and in these characters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Car accident

Minor: Animal cruelty

mical45's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Homophobia

Minor: Death, Cursing, Murder, Animal death, and Car accident

lost_windsock's review

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was absolutely beautiful. It destroyed me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Car accident, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death, Violence, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, and Homophobia

goosecaboose's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is amazing!! I just wanted to hug the book and the characters the whole time I was reading it. It’s very wholesome and warm. Putting this book down during a reading session was basically impossible. I definitely recommend this book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Hate crime, Violence, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and War

Minor: Cursing, Medical content, and Medical trauma

There’s a good chunk of possibly triggering things in this book, however, I get triggered moderately easy and didn’t have any problems. This book is definitely worth it.

cherrycoeur's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Violence

Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Animal death, and Sexism