Benjamin Alire Senz’s coming-of-age novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, often referred to by its shortened title or a similar phrase, tells the story of two Mexican-American teenagers in El Paso, Texas during the late 1980s. The narrative focuses on their developing friendship, self-discovery, and exploration of identity, family dynamics, and first love. The novel utilizes introspective narration and poetic language to explore themes of cultural heritage, masculinity, and emotional vulnerability.
This critically acclaimed novel won the Stonewall Book Award, the Pura Belpr Narrative Medal, and the Lambda Literary Award, among others. Its popularity stems from its sensitive portrayal of adolescent struggles and its resonance with readers seeking narratives exploring identity, sexuality, and familial relationships within a specific cultural context. The work’s enduring impact is evidenced by its continued presence on school reading lists and its adaptation into a film.
