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- Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
- Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- Narrator: Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Length: 07:30:03
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 09/04/2013
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Fiction, Teen, Tough Topics, LGBTQ+
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
I’ve always believed that stories are the maps we carry in our souls, guiding us through the landscapes of life. When I first pressed play on the ‘Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe’ audiobook by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, narrated by the inimitable Lin-Manuel Miranda, I wasn’t just embarking on a listening experience – I was stepping into a world as vivid and raw as the deserts I’ve trekked through. This isn’t just a teen fiction story; it’s a profound exploration of identity, friendship, and the tough topics that shape us, especially within the LGBTQ+ narrative. The audiobook experience pulled me in like a late-night conversation by a campfire, intimate and unforgettable.
Let me take you back to a memory that resurfaced while I listened. I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile years ago, the surreal, otherworldly landscape stretching endlessly around me, when I first experienced an audiobook that changed my perspective – ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude.’ The narrator’s voice wove magic through the air, much like Lin-Manuel Miranda does here. Listening to Ari and Dante’s story, I felt that same connection, as if I were sitting with them under the vast El Paso sky, sharing secrets and silences. It reminds me of a time when I was a teenager myself, grappling with who I was and who I wanted to be, feeling the weight of unspoken words just like Ari does.
The story unfolds like a slow desert sunrise, revealing its beauty layer by layer. Aristotle, or Ari, is an angry, introspective teen haunted by a brother in prison and a family full of silences. Dante, on the other hand, is a quirky, confident know-it-all with a unique lens on the world. Their chance meeting at a swimming pool in 1980s El Paso feels like fate, and their friendship becomes a lifeline. Sáenz masterfully captures the ache of adolescence, the search for identity, and the courage it takes to love in a world that doesn’t always understand. This isn’t just a coming-of-age tale; it’s a tender, honest dive into tough topics like family trauma, cultural expectations, and the complexities of being young and queer. You can almost feel the heat of the Texas summer, the cool relief of the pool water, and the quiet tension of unspoken feelings as their bond deepens.
What makes this audiobook experience truly stand out is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s narration. His voice carries the rhythm of a poet and the warmth of a friend, infusing each character with distinct personality. Ari’s brooding intensity comes through in Miranda’s measured, sometimes hesitant tones, while Dante’s playful curiosity dances in his inflections. There’s a moment when Ari wrestles with his feelings, and Miranda’s subtle pause – a breath held just a second too long – hits you right in the chest. It’s storytelling at its finest, reminiscent of the evenings I spent in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother weave tales with perfect timing and silence as powerful as words. The audio quality is crisp, immersive, allowing every emotion to resonate without distraction. Miranda doesn’t just read; he lives these characters, making this a must-listen for anyone seeking a powerful LGBTQ+ narrative in audio form.
Sáenz’s writing is lyrical, almost like a song you’ve known forever, and it tackles themes that linger long after the final chapter. The book explores the weight of family secrets – Ari’s struggle to understand his father’s Vietnam War trauma and his brother’s absence mirrors the hidden histories I’ve uncovered in my travels. It’s also a story about choosing your struggles, much like Mark Manson discusses in ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,’ though here it’s wrapped in the tender vulnerability of youth. Ari and Dante learn to prioritize what matters – friendship, love, self-acceptance – over societal pressures. Their journey of embracing failure, of peeling back layers of identity, feels like peeling an onion, raw and tearful but necessary.
That said, the audiobook isn’t without its challenges. At times, the pacing of the narration can feel slow, especially in the early chapters where Ari’s internal monologue dominates. For listeners accustomed to faster-paced stories, this might test patience, though I found it mirrored the deliberate unfolding of real emotions. Additionally, while Miranda’s performance is stellar, there are moments where I craved a bit more variation in tone during some of the heavier emotional beats. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise transformative listening experience.
If you’ve enjoyed other teen fiction with tough topics like ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky, or if you’re drawn to LGBTQ+ stories that celebrate resilience, this audiobook will resonate deeply. It stands out in the genre for its cultural specificity – Sáenz’s depiction of Mexican-American life adds a rich layer to Ari and Dante’s world – and its unflinching honesty about love and pain. Compared to other coming-of-age audiobooks, this one feels uniquely personal, thanks to Miranda’s narration bringing an almost theatrical intimacy to the prose.
I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, to teens navigating their own secrets, and to adults who remember the sting and sweetness of first love. It’s a perfect listen for a long drive through open landscapes or a quiet evening under the stars. While I can’t confirm if this audiobook is free, I can say the experience is worth every penny – check platforms like Audiobooks.com for potential deals or a free audiobook trial to dive into this gem.
Reflecting on Ari and Dante’s journey, I’m reminded of why I travel and write – to uncover the human connections that bind us, no matter where we’re from. This story is a reminder of the courage it takes to be yourself, a lesson I’ve learned in countless dusty towns and crowded markets around the world. It’s a narrative that feels like a friend, whispering truths about family, identity, and the secrets we discover when we least expect it.
Until our paths cross again on this winding road of stories, keep listening and keep seeking the secrets of your own universe. This is Marcus Rivera, signing off with a heart full of tales.
