Genre:
Young Adult
Pages:
368
Edition:
Paperback, hardcover, kindle edition
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Year of publication: 2014
Year of publication: 2014
RATING: ✰✰✰✰ (4/5)
“I
wanted to tell them that I never knew that people like Dante existed in the world,
people who looked at the stars, and knew the mysteries of water, and knew
enough to know that birds belonged to the heavens and weren’t meant to be shot
down from their graceful flights by mean and stupid boys. I wanted to tell them
that he had changed my life and that I would never be the same, not ever. And
that somehow it felt like it was Dante who had saved my life and not the other
way around…”
Aristotle
is a fifteen-year-old teenager who is angry at himself, feels desolate and lost
in the world and who thinks “my life was someone else’s idea”. When he stumbles
upon Dante, another guy of his age, he discovers how different Dante is. Dante
is bright, lovely and charismatic. He loves poems and literature, has interest
and expertise in art and he knows how to talk to people and win their
affection. Just like that, the seeds of a very intimate and loyal relationship are
sown.
At
times, we forget to look within ourselves and ask what do we really desire. The
book tells such a story where the pursuit of looking inward and self-discovery
unearths our deepest fears and most secretive feelings. On one side we have
Dante—an easy-going and simple guy, who likes to harbour complex thoughts and
sophisticated reasonings to find fodder for his existence. He isn’t afraid to
voice out his opinions and his fallacies, rather lives life believing that he
is right where he is meant to be. But on the other side, Aristotle is often
bewildered and is easy to be hoaxed into very frightful mental states. He feels
out of place, incomplete and struggles to fit in with his family and close acquaintances.
Always keen to veil his fears and pain and disguise these vent up emotions, he
is desolate and devoid of expression.
The
story progresses with the duo getting to know each other and being partners in
their crimes and heroic ventures. They learn about their likes, dislikes, capabilities,
accomplishments and also about the voids that reside within their tender
hearts. But suddenly, one incident shakes this foundation. Aristotle saves Dante’s
life, without caring about his own. Dante brims with gratitude and gratefulness,
but Aristotle refuses to acknowledge this heroism that had come his way. What
follows is an interesting account of events that helps Aristotle and Dante get
a hold of what lies at the core of their hearts. Equipped with simple poetic
verses and simple yet deep conversations, this book teaches us that there is no
shame to admit love, be it romantic or familial. The book serves as an epitome
of describing how friendships and relationships often cannot surface, thereby not
adding subtle beautification and nuances to our lives. It tells us that we
must hold the hands of these feelings, harness them with care, so that they can
grow and be recognized.
Saenz’s
writing is gripping but seems faraway and distant, like a fading memory that
was once very fond to us. Having said that, the hasty ending and conclusive nature
of the book was a bit overdone and the book should have had some open-endedness
to it. Aristotle’s bottled up emotions and constant urge to learn about the
dark past that haunts his family has been perfectly scattered throughout the
book, in a way that it does not seem superficial.
Surrounded
by the hustle of city life, we sometimes need a break from complications. This
book is almost like such a relaxing vacation in the lap of nature--an unhindered,
free-flowing, beautiful account of friendship and love.
Title: ✰✰✰✰✰ (5/5)
Writing style:✰✰✰✰ (4/5)
Overall impact: ✰✰✰✰ (4/5)
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