Characters in Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World

Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza

Seventeen-year-old narrator navigating his relationship with Dante and his family's history.

Also in Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

Dante Quintana

Ari's boyfriend, an artist weighing a scholarship abroad against staying close to Ari.

Also in Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

Jaime Mendoza

Ari's father, whose declining health worries the family across the boys' senior year.

Also in Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

Sam Quintana

Dante's father, part of the Quintana family during a year that reshapes both households.

Also in Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

Soledad Quintana

Dante's mother, part of the Quintana family during a year that reshapes both households.

Also in Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe

Bernardo Mendoza

Ari's incarcerated older brother, whose strained relationship with Ari comes to a head this year.

Sophocles Quintana

Dante's baby brother, born as the Quintana household grows during the story.

Rico Rubio

A classmate at Ari and Dante's school, targeted by homophobic bullies during their senior year.

Cassandra Ortega

One of the friends Ari opens up to at school during his senior year.

Gina Navarro

One of the friends Ari opens up to at school during his senior year, alongside Susie and Cassandra.

Susie Byrd

One of the friends Ari opens up to at school during his senior year, alongside Gina and Cassandra.