Sophie's World

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

On Sophie Amundsens fifteenth birthday, she is thrust into a world full of philosophical lessons with the mysterious philosopher Alberto. In between getting a crash course on the entire history of philosophy, Sophie struggles to figure out why messages for someone named Hilde keep on showing up in her world. Along the way, she makes a startling discovery that could reduce her very existence to merely a figment of someone elses imagination.

SOPHIES WORLD is a captivating story that will enchant readers of all ages. It is half a philosophy lesson, half a brilliantly imagined suspense novel. While the ending left me dissatisfied, I was completely fascinated by the rest of the book and would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Reader reviewed by Lenore

A study of 3,000 years of philosophic thought all begins for 14 year old Sophie one day when she opens her mailbox and finds notes with the questions "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?".

But don't let it daunt you that the book is about philosophy, because the story is told in such a simple and entertaining way, you'll just suck in all this "heavy" learning like a sponge. Why? Well, Gaardner frames all this philosophy with an entertaining story about Sophie who may not be who she thinks she is, and a friendly neighborhood philosopher Albert Knox who takes it upon himself to open Sophie's mind to life's biggest questions.

Some of my favorite chapters are on Socrates: "wisest is she who knows what she does not know", Locke: "as bare and empty as a blackboard before the teacher arrives", and the last chapter - The big bang: "we too are stardust".

Read this and you'll be lightyears ahead of everyone else in your introduction to philosophy class!

Reader reviewed by Emily

It amazes me how Gaarder was able to write this complex, intriguing, masterminded story!!!! Detailing the history of philosophy, from the classical philosophers (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) through the Middle Ages (St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine), the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, all the way up to Sartre -- Gaarder covers over 2500 years worth of revolutionary thought. And yet, he manages to wrap it all up into a fictional story with a 15-year-old girl as the main character, making it neither a boring school lesson nor a fantastical fairy tale.

Warning: this book really messes with your mind!!!!!! If you like to think about the BIG questions (how the world begin, if God really exists, if man has free will, etc.), then you like philosophy. What's more, reading this book will prepare you enormously for any level philosophy course, whether its self-taught or part of high-school/college.

Added bonus: Sophie's World was originally written in Norwegian, so it gives American/British readers an added perspective. Its interesting to read a history of the world that never even MENTIONS the pilgrims or the founding fathers :-)

Reader reviewed by mzblonde

I had to read this book for my philosophy class and I found that it was very long in the beginning. Then, after a while, it begins to become more interesting. I didn't like the "textbook" parts. The actual plot was fairly good. It's hard to wrap your mind around it though. especially towards the end. I didn't like the end. it started to become a fanstacy, compared to the rest of the book, which one could easily relate to. The author made Sophie to be this girl that was like immune to the world.. real people her age are not like that. I would recommend it only if one is taking a philosophy course. I have to admit that it does give a good overview.

Reader reviewed by Anonymous

This book is a MUST READ!!!. Don't get put off by the "History of Philosophy" subtitle- Sophie's World is really just a suspense novel with the philosophy just part of the story. READ THIS BOOK, soon!

Reader reviewed by L. Eustace

A teenage girl begins to recieve letters in the mail, which speak of life in the past and philosophy. Enchanted by the ideas and secret sender, she begins to communicate with him, learning who she is, and perhaps what the meaning of life is. This book kept me thinking about the weirdest things, it's quite complex, but very interesting.