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OLDER FICTION
Sáenz, Benjamin Alire

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World

528 pp. | Simon | October, 2021 | Trade ISBN 978-1-5344-9619-4 $19.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-5344-9621-7 $10.99
(2) YA As this sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (rev. 3/12) opens, the title characters take a memorable, romantic camping trip together in the desert before beginning their respective senior years at different high schools. After returning from the trip, narrator Ari comes out to people in his life, including his nemesis, whose brother has died of AIDS (like the first book, this is set in the 1980s), and in that moment a new friendship is born. The story explores many of Ari's relationships--with his parents, particularly his father, until tragedy strikes; with his brother in prison, with whom a visit proves disappointing. But it's his relationship with Dante that dominates his thoughts, often expressed in letters written down in his journal. Sáenz once again applies wisdom and humor to familiar themes such as forgiveness and redemption, the value of teachers and mentors, and the definitions of valor and manhood. The award-winning first book broke ground as a novel about LGBTQ+ people of color (Aristotle and Dante are both Mexican American). It's a mark of progress that nine years later, its sequel is not such a rare bird. Nevertheless, devoted fans of the previous installment will relish the experience of this one.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

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