Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy

Jostein Gaarder

Mar 2007 · Sold by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

About this ebook

A page-turning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of Western thought, Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, with more than twenty million copies in print.

One day fourteen-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?" From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. Who is Hilde? And why does her mail keep turning up? To unravel this riddle, Sophie must use the philosophy she is learning—but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have imagined.

Ratings and reviews

I read the book when I was 14. My English was limited as it wasn't my native language and I didn't understand some parts. But from what I understood, it was amazing and eye-opening. I wanted to read it again since my English has gotten much better since moving to the U.S. But it seems like I cannot afford it. My ability to access good books hasn't improved. The limiting factor changed from availability of actual good books around me to availability of spare money.

First novel I have ever read-my sister brought it home from abroad where she used to work. I think I was 10-12 years old. Reading the book felt like I was part of the story. It was a thick book with no pictures but I was so into it that I could imagine it happening before my eyes. A must read. It's also where I start questioning things about the universe and it's mysteries.

For anyone who likes philosophy and discussion with an interesting plot twist this is for u! It can be a bit dry but stick with it and it is definitely worth it. You'll never think about perspective the same way again!

About the author

Jostein Gaarder was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1952. He taught high-school philosophy for several years before publishing a collection of short stories in 1986 and, shortly thereafter, his first two novels, The Solitaire Mystery and Sophie's World, and several others since then. He lives in Oslo with his family.