Everyone is falling for the queer love story of ‘Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe’
By Dan Clarendon · 14 comments· Updated on January 26, 2024
On Friday, almost exactly a year after it debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, the coming-of-age film Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe hit theaters, offering readers of queer YA lit another chance to see the beloved book characters on screen.
Released in 2012, Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe follows its two title characters—Mexican-American teens growing up in 1980s El Paso—as they bond over their outsider status and forge a life-changing friendship. “And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be,” publisher Simon & Schuster adds.
The Stonewall Book Award-winning novel came out not long after Sáenz did, at age 54. “Some boys just know they’re gay,” the writer told NPR’s Tell Me More in 2013. “I don’t know how that happens. And I think other boys don’t know, and then they start discovering that. And that’s the book.”
Then, in 2021, came the news that a film adaptation was in production, with Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales in the lead roles, Eugenio Derbez and Eva Longoria in supporting parts, Aitch Alberto serving as screenwriter and director, and Lin-Manuel Miranda—who narrated the audiobook—on board as a producer.
“I really wanted to make something that was nuanced, that wasn’t rooted in what we often see when it comes to Latin stories and queer stories,” Albert told Teen Vogue in a recent interview. “It’s having a fresh approach [that] isn’t solely fueled by identity, but more so all the other things that give us the perspective that we have. We’ve seen so many stories about Latinidad and the Latin community in a way that feels really violent and redundant, and I think it’s because often our stories are not told by us. I just really wanted to give people a different option.”
A day after the news of the adaptation, Simon & Schuster released Sáenz’s long-awaited sequel, Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World. So, will a second film follow? The social media users below are surely hoping so.
Read what they’ve said about the first book, the film, and the follow-up novel.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is the “best book ever.”
Aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe best book ever
[ Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe ]
rating: ? ? ? ? ? 5/5
genre: YA fiction, coming of age
comments: this was an amazing book to read, easy to read and you really get to sympathize with Ari and the struggles he has within himself while growing up pic.twitter.com/B8I3soxbpN
FINISHED ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE. HOW CAN I MOVE ON FROM THIS??? I WANT AN ARI FOR MYSELF EMZ ?? pic.twitter.com/U2MGMvJHQ3
I saw that a movie called Aristotle and Dante DIscover the Secrets of the Universe comes out this week, found out it was a queer YA novel, read both books in a night and absolutely fell in love with it ? super excited to watch this weekend ?
ive been reading ‘aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe’ all day today bc the movie comes out tomorrow and i love it so far and i relate to ari mentally and emotionally
From books to film, another one of the queer books I've read has now turned into film. Aristotle & Dante Discovers the Secrets of the Universe. It comes out this Friday. Leaving work early so I can catch an early showtime. pic.twitter.com/9FQQsSumxf
If anyone wants to read a good romance book i would like to recommend Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe pic.twitter.com/MZkPFjuGln
— pepi/pepsi?????(?)?? (kinda ia) ? (@hobi_my_hobby_) August 13, 2023
I’ve never read a book that treated its characters with more tenderness and generosity than Benjamin Sáenz’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, pic.twitter.com/6LPfK2to2L
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a perfect adaption & a perfect movie. Aitch Alberto, Max Pelayo & Reese Gonzales bring the heart, beauty & emotions of this deeply moving and introspective story to life. i'm so in love with this movie. pic.twitter.com/JjAJhlhOsB
aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe is SO GOOD ????? so much dialogue straight from the book i loved it!! seeing it 2x more this weekend because i want that second movie!!!! pic.twitter.com/HsnVp8R06u
Okay, so idk how much of this will make it to India but Aristotle and Dante is one of those films that deals with the sad parts but ends on a warm note. Pls do watch ? pic.twitter.com/Nt4zWxplGM
I just watched Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe , and my heart it so FULL!!! The last 30 minutes was absolutely PERFECT!!!!!!!! It was better on screen than how I imagined it in my head from the book! In love ?????
These boys individually and together broke my heart over and over. The 80s were unkind to many. The book, “Aristotle and Dante and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe,” moved me deeply . I’m so happy the film is showing in our town. https://t.co/BcetRmKnoN
Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World is “a triumph.”
I loved Aristotle and Dante Dive Into The Waters of the World @BenjaminASaenz This breathtakingly beautiful sequel was every bit as good as I knew it would be. Brimming with compassion and empathy and exploring loss, love, intolerance and acceptance this book is a triumph ? pic.twitter.com/FqwfkaWSOO
Spending my Sunday with Benjamin Alire Sáenz's ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD. I'm only 37 pages in and I already know this book is going to ruin me.
— Karen Strong Author Updates (@KarenMusings) May 29, 2022
It’s Monday! What are you reading? I finished Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World and it was sooooooo good! #imwayrpic.twitter.com/1bpRzuxUka
— Jen Vincent – Story Exploratory?? (@jvincentwrites) December 27, 2021
okay don’t judge it was hard to get a good pic all by myself but here’s the new tattoos!! the quote is from Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World ? it’s stuck with my since the first time i read that book and i knew i wanted those words with me ? pic.twitter.com/HIz6SGr1XQ
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It’s simply a fact of life that language evolves and changes over time. Always has, always will. I’m gay and I’m proud and happy to also claim “queer” as an identifying term. In fact, I like it. I’m hoping language evolves so that queer replaces LGBTQ+ and it’s multiple iterations.
There is a clear double standard here, however. By the standards of this website you must execute the utmost care in applying the correct pronouns and labels, and misgendering or dead naming someone is a crime punishable by instant cancellation. But calling someone queer, even though they may be offended or triggered by it, is perfectly fine.
Josh, I understand your point and have some level of agreement, but in an important way you’re missing the point (see what I did there?). I would not call someone queer if the term offended them, and I think most people who accept and/or like the word “queer” would also interact that way. In that sense the standards are the same: respect the individual’s preference for how they want to be identified.
However, there is another important point I see. Language is evolving in a way that makes “queer” a culturally acceptable term (not that everyone agrees), and at the same time the culture is evolving to where the expanded concept of gender is becoming more broadly acceptable (not that everyone agrees). Despite that, I’ll go with what the individual wants. If they hate “queer” I won’t use it with them; if they have preferred pronouns I’ll use those.
Having said all of that, it’s my opinion as a human that too many people are over-sensitive and reactionary about pronouns and dead-naming when those things are not done to intentionally hurt someone. My straight best friend’s second child appears at 17 to be trans, and currently prefers he/him pronouns. But he is nonchalant if his Dad or anyone else inadvertently or even casually says the “wrong” thing. Just as I am nonchalant about dumb questions or “bad” jokes about me being gay when I know the person isn’t being malicious.
Bottom line in both situations in your “double standard”: just be kind and respectful of the other person.
You’ve deftly skewed the argument and made it only about personal interactions. But the point I’m making is about blanket public labelling. And, I reiterate, there is a clear double standard. On the one hand sensitivity is demanded. On the other hand it is blithely dismissed.
I loved “Secrets of the Universe,” I have “Waters of the World” on my reading table, and…there’s a MOVIE? It’s kinda hard finding out where and when movies are playing since the demise of theater times in newspapers…but here goes.
Read first book of Aristotle and Dante. Saenz is a great writer. Can’t wait to see the movie and the new book. As to the controversy about us.You are who you say you are Blanche and let others decide for their self. I am a big ol gay 71 year me.
I haven’t read the book, and truthfully had never heard of it or the movie till I stumbled on the trailer last week. My husband and I saw the movie Saturday and loved it. Excellent movie.
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Diplomat
This is a gay movie. Queer is for Trans and NBs. Don’t “misgender” LGBs thx.
galileo
Speaking for yourself only as an eldergay, of course, the rest of the world has changed.
Diplomat
Age is irrelevant when it comes to language. It’s impossible to change dog shit into driven snow. Or is your wand that special?
morf
Says who? Who appointed you as vocabulary ?????? I’m gay and queer as F#@k!
DennisMpls
It’s simply a fact of life that language evolves and changes over time. Always has, always will. I’m gay and I’m proud and happy to also claim “queer” as an identifying term. In fact, I like it. I’m hoping language evolves so that queer replaces LGBTQ+ and it’s multiple iterations.
Joshooeerr
There is a clear double standard here, however. By the standards of this website you must execute the utmost care in applying the correct pronouns and labels, and misgendering or dead naming someone is a crime punishable by instant cancellation. But calling someone queer, even though they may be offended or triggered by it, is perfectly fine.
DennisMpls
Josh, I understand your point and have some level of agreement, but in an important way you’re missing the point (see what I did there?). I would not call someone queer if the term offended them, and I think most people who accept and/or like the word “queer” would also interact that way. In that sense the standards are the same: respect the individual’s preference for how they want to be identified.
However, there is another important point I see. Language is evolving in a way that makes “queer” a culturally acceptable term (not that everyone agrees), and at the same time the culture is evolving to where the expanded concept of gender is becoming more broadly acceptable (not that everyone agrees). Despite that, I’ll go with what the individual wants. If they hate “queer” I won’t use it with them; if they have preferred pronouns I’ll use those.
Having said all of that, it’s my opinion as a human that too many people are over-sensitive and reactionary about pronouns and dead-naming when those things are not done to intentionally hurt someone. My straight best friend’s second child appears at 17 to be trans, and currently prefers he/him pronouns. But he is nonchalant if his Dad or anyone else inadvertently or even casually says the “wrong” thing. Just as I am nonchalant about dumb questions or “bad” jokes about me being gay when I know the person isn’t being malicious.
Bottom line in both situations in your “double standard”: just be kind and respectful of the other person.
Joshooeerr
You’ve deftly skewed the argument and made it only about personal interactions. But the point I’m making is about blanket public labelling. And, I reiterate, there is a clear double standard. On the one hand sensitivity is demanded. On the other hand it is blithely dismissed.
theherald
Absolutely, no one has every referred to a gay man as “queer”. You’re just so darn smart.
Thad
I loved “Secrets of the Universe,” I have “Waters of the World” on my reading table, and…there’s a MOVIE? It’s kinda hard finding out where and when movies are playing since the demise of theater times in newspapers…but here goes.
RickfromAlba
Read first book of Aristotle and Dante. Saenz is a great writer. Can’t wait to see the movie and the new book. As to the controversy about us.You are who you say you are Blanche and let others decide for their self. I am a big ol gay 71 year me.
dennynova
This whole article left out the most important information we all need. Where can we see this film?
theherald
Uh…it depends on where you live. Look it up.
dmd911
I haven’t read the book, and truthfully had never heard of it or the movie till I stumbled on the trailer last week. My husband and I saw the movie Saturday and loved it. Excellent movie.