Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews[1] and School Library Journal.[2]
Kirkus Reviews wrote that "Meticulous pacing and finely nuanced characters underpin the author's gift for affecting prose that illuminates the struggles within relationships".[1]
A Publishers Weekly review calling it "a tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality, and a passionate reminder that love—whether romantic or familial—should be open, free, and without shame."[3]
The book has been positively received by readers as well; in May 2016, more than four years after its publication, it ranked first on a list of popular LGBT fiction on Goodreads.[4]
In an interview with NPR, Sáenz himself noted that "I've never had a book with this kind of response, not ever".[5]
The audiobook, narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, also received a starred review from Booklist's Cheryl Ward, who noted that "Miranda does justice with his quiet, intricate narration". Ward conceded that "Occasional lengthy pauses at chapter ends may be distracting, but this production flaw does not detract from the artistry of the sparse prose and measured pace".[6]
