Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe




Audio Book Cover

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Saenz, Benjamin Alire. 2012. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. New York: Simon & Schuster.  ISBN 978-1-4424-0892-0
   

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

It is the summer of 1987 and Aristotle is an angry young man about to begin a journey of discovery which will take him through trials and tribulations and possibly lead him to the secrets of the universe and it will all begin with Dante and swimming lessons.  Ari and Dante are two Mexican-American young men who do not seem to fit in with others and yet forge a bond of friendship that changes who they think they are and allows them to discovers truths about themselves and the world around them.  An honest look at coming of age in a time of intolerance and confusion, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe offers a glimpse into the reality of two different young men whose bond will be tested through books, laughter, love, shame, and acceptance. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an exceptionally well written, honest look at the struggle with who we are and who we want to be and what we will allow ourselves to become.  Saenz does a masterful job at developing the personalities of not only Aristotle and Dante, but also those of their parents allowing for a depth of character development and understanding of interpersonal relationships which is not often seen in young adult literature.  The exploration of anger, confusion, love, and acceptance which takes place between the covers of the novel provides the reader with an emotional roller coaster ride of sensations. 

 

Aristotle or Ari as he insists on being called is an angry young man who does not truly understand why he is angry and sad all the time.  He has few friends and little desire to make any.  What he does have are two loving, if slightly damaged parents who must silently fight their own demons.  What Ari gains is Dante.

 

Dante is a softhearted young man who boldly offers to teach Ari to swim on the first day of summer at the local pool.  His demeanor and relationship with his parents are not what Ari is used to encountering.  Theirs is a family who hugs and kisses and expresses emotion freely.  Ari is pulled into their life and loved with abandon by all.

 

The friendship of Aristotle and Dante is a progression from loneliness to honest and unprecedented love amidst confusion and shame from themselves and a world which can be unaccepting and cruel.  Through the love and acceptance of their families and the acceptance of who they truly are inside, Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of themselves and where they fit within the universe.

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

ALA Notable Children's Books

Bank Street Best Books of the Year

Kirkus Best Young Adult Book

Lambda Literary Award Finalist

Pura Belpre Award

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Texas Tayshas High School Reading List

Stonewall Book Award

Michael Printz Honor Book

Click the link below to view my book trailer for this title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ3i-i-2R8w
 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower



The Perks of Being a Wallflower
movie tie-in book jacket

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chbosky, Stephen. 1999. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. New York: Gallery Books.  ISBN 978-1-4516-9619-6
  

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Charlie is an awkward teen who, after the suicide of his best friend and the death of his Aunt Helen, sits outside of life looking in at others.  Set during the early 1990's during Charlie's freshman year of high school, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is told through letters written to an anonymous "friend" at part of Charlie's prescribed treatment.  Through the letters Charlie introduces us to his family, his newfound group of older friends including the beautiful Sam and homosexual but wonderful Patrick.  The novel is a journey through first dates, drug experimentation, sex, music, and truth even when it is painful and damaging.  Through the journey Charlie discovers, with the help of friends, family, his English teacher Bill, and therapy that growing up and navigating life are hard but ultimately worth the ride.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a hauntingly accurate and heartbreaking coming of age story about a boy who is emotionally fragile.  The novel is well written and cleverly uses the letter format to soften the harsh reality of Charlie's world which is filled with suicide, sex, drugs, molestation, abuse, and loneliness. 

 

The characters are portrayed as rather two dimensional.  Chbosky fails to fully develop any character other than Charlie.  However, due to the nature of the book and letter format this oversight does not detract from the storyline or ultimate conclusion.  Rather, the flatness of the other character lends to a realness to Charlie which enhances his appeal and allows the reader to develop a relationship with him through his painful past. 

 

One area in which Chbosky succeeds is the presentation of the feelings associated with adolescents.  The natural mistrust of adults, especially parents, accompanied by the need to belong to a group of peers and find acceptance drives the novel and establishes an honesty within the text.  Also, the use of a large cast of supporting characters provides a glimpse into the many facets of Charlie's world.  And finally, the use of foreshadowing throughout the novel in the form of discussions and memories of Aunt Helen lead the reader down a winding path with Charlie toward truth and discovery. 

 

The novel also makes excellent use of music and literature selections as a form of communication.  Within the book Charlie is given additional reading materials by Bill and introduced to musical selections from multiple sources.  Knowledge of these literary and musical items helps forward the storyline and provides insight into Charlie's emotional state.

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

While the novel has won no major awards it is important to note that according to the American Library Association this book is frequently banned or challenged due to the content.  It should also be noted that the ALA does not support banning books and believes in intellectual freedom.  For more information please visit the following website:  http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

The book was made into a film in 2012.  The film adaptation stars Logan Lerman and Emma Watson and features a screenplay by the author Stephen Chbosky.