I am crazy about coming of age books. The physical and psychological changes that a young adult goes through always fascinates me. I read tons of books in this genre as it gives insights into why adults become the way they have. So, it was a no-brainer when i picked up the sequel - Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World.
The cover page was as magical as the first one. Once i finished reading the book, i understood the significance behind each doodle. Quite thoughtful, i have to say.
However, with 515 pages, the book is too long to hold the attention of a generation who consumes data in shorts, reels and bytes. Most importantly, the content is not strong enough.
Dante is insanely in love with Ari. He has accepted his sexual orientation. Ari, on the other hand, is sceptical. He often wonders about the dangers in store when people learn about his sexual orientation. Sometimes he wishes he was straight. This is the plot. And that's all. While narrating this, we see that they finish their high school and get admission in good colleges. Ari makes friends, faces the demons of past and learns to accept death as a natural part of life. Basically, Ari evolves and strides towards manhood. In case we miss you see the obvious, the book makes it a point to categorically call out, "Oh Ari, you are such a man". Or, "Oh Ari, you are man now". Or, "Dante, you are such a charmer". "Oh Dante, you just know to say the right thing". Thus the book starts getting redundant. People praise each other for everything. For holding a box of apple pies, for smiling, for responding, for even breathing maybe. Who knows they may have even said things like "the way you breath is so beautiful". "The way you just sit is beautiful". There is no end to it.
There is an element of poetic charm to the rendition. But it gets ruined because everyone talks like poem. I mean every single person. From old to the young. That starts to get on nerves. Imagine, it has 515 pages. It's huge and it's too much to take.
Also, there are no greys in this world. Only black and white. In fact, there is not much black, just a smidge. People are all warm and loving and accepting and empathetic that it qualified to be a spectacular utopian dream. Every second person is either gay or related to a gay. Therefore, they understand and understand. Where are the struggles or demons? That's in head only. After a point, it becomes exhausting.
Sometimes sequels are not a good idea. This book is a classic example. The aspect of hope and positivity I had loved in the first book is also the reason for my dissatisfaction towards this one. This book is more about Ari and his life than Ari and Dante or their lives.
Overall, this fat book is a pure disappointment. It is like this informative lecture which becomes boring due to the sheer volume of data points and, which makes us wonder, what was the point?! The book not only covers homosexuality, but also takes up war, racism, feminism and all that. Also, there is so much reference to AIDS that i wondered if the book is trying to bring awareness of all the possible global issues at once.
Strangely, the story takes place in 1989. Probably, it's even outdated if the book is trying to just be preachy. Reasearch told me that the author had come out as a gay at the age of 54 years. Maybe this book is his ambitious attempt to weave a world that could have been when he was young. Whatever it is, the book just doesn't land as it aimed to. If there is a sequel, i would not pick it up. And i recommend you to give this a pass.
I am still not sure if Aristotle and Dante dived into the waters of the world. But I know i drowned and struggles for oxygen.
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