The washington post book world as remarkable for its playful premise as for its accessibility. Thus begins jostein gaarder s unique novel, which is not only a mystery, but also a complete and entertaining history of philosophy. A novel about the history of philosophy new ed by jostein gaarder isbn. On the 20th anniversary of sophies world the worlds bestselling book of 1995 a striking new edition with a fresh jacket look and a foreword by the author.
Sophie s world became a bestseller in norway and won the deutscher jugendliteraturpreis in 1994. The author ingeniously walks the reader through the entire history of philosophy while telling a story. Sophies own story too is relatively weak despite a dramatic twist literal in the middle. Jan 21, 2019 i accepted the advice of another aspiring reader of good literature to begin with sophies world.
It follows sophie amundsen, a norwegian teenager who is. All that said, this is a classic of its unique kind. Which aspects did you most want to research further. She in turn learns about philosophy by reading about sophies study of philosophy, never suspecting that she is merely a character in a booksophies worldwritten by a philosophy teacher named. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher, and. Sophies world author jostein gaarder argued that children can ask meaningful questions about life and the world. Sophie s world went on to be published in 60 languages, with more than 40 million copies in print around the world. Complete summary of jostein gaarders sophies world. There are 518 pages of the original edition of the book. Dec 05, 1991 sophie s world is a 1991 novel by norwegian writer jostein gaarder.
The main characters of this philosophy, fiction story are charles darwin, plato. Norway is the original publication place of the book. Sophies world by jostein gaarder is, in my view, a highly successful attempt to write. Sophies world author says how hed change sophies worlds philosophy 14 book club. She begins a strange correspondence course in philosophy. His first book to be translated into english, sophie s world was also the topselling book in germany, france, and great britain. The first edition of the novel was published in december 5th 1991, and was written by jostein gaarder. Hilde s father comes home and they talk about the book, and hilde is sure that sophie exists somewhere. Gaarder here reading to schoolchildren tapped into adolescent preoccupations with. Paulette moller one day fourteenyearold sophie amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, each with a question. The book sophies world was very intriguing, in the beginning when she was getting asked the questions i though that these are all questions that everyone asks themselves whether you realize it or not, they were all questions that you can only answer with another question and know one really knows the answers too, but once you actually sit and think on them you will explore thoughts. A novel about the history of philosophy fsg classics by jostein gaarder and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Before she knows it she is enrolled in a correspondence course with a mysterious philosopher. It follows the events of sophie amundsen, a teenage girl living in norway, and alberto knox, a middleaged philosopher who introduces her to philosophical thinking and the history of philosophy. Jostein gaarder, author, paulette miller, translator, paulette moller, translator farrar straus giroux. Gaarder here reading to schoolchildren tapped into adolescent preoccupations with his subject matter. A pageturning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of western thought, sophie s world has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, with more than twenty million copies in print. Jostein gaarder has 41 books on goodreads with 525751 ratings. Sophies world by jostein gaarder books hachette australia. Sophies world project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. However, some may feel that certain philosophers were ignored by the author.
A phenomenal worldwide bestseller, sophie s world sets out to draw teenagers into the world of socrates, descartes, spinoza, hegel and all the great philosophers. One day, she discovers a mysterious letter in her mailbox. Gaarder wrote sophie s world to bring philosophy to younger audiences because he felt there was a lack of engaging books on the subject. About the author jostein gaarder was born in oslo in 1952. Sophies world is a 1991 novel by norwegian writer jostein gaarder. A pageturning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of western thought, sophies world has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, having been.
Sophie s world spent three years as the best selling book in norway. Hilde, on the other hand, whom we meet halfway through the book, appears to be a real girl whose father has written a novel entitled sophies world. A novel about the history of philosophy by jostein. Sophie amundsen is fourteen years old when the book begins, living in norway. The rest of the book revolves around sophies and knoxs quest to escape the power of hildes father, the author of the overarching story.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 403 pages and is available in paperback format. Jostein gaarder shot to fame with the publication of sophies world. Every day, a letter comes to her mailbox that contains a few questions and then later in the day a package comes with some typed pages describing the ideas of a philosopher who dealt with the issues raised by the questions. A novel about the history of philosophy fsg classics is a history of philosophy written in the format of a mystery novel by jostein gaarder. How many of the novels terms and references were you already familiar with. Jostein gaarder is a norwegian intellectual and author of several novels, short stories, and childrens books. Originally a high school philosophy teacher, he has written a number of. The letter is short and contains two enigmatic questions. Sophies world summary from litcharts the creators of. In a particularly memorable and psychologically grotesque sequence, sophies birthday party is transformed into a scene of depravity and total absurdity a final display of the author s power. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The essential charm of sophie s world lies in the innocent curiosity of the young character, and the clever narrative structure gaarder designed to pique it. I may be overrating this but i wont be biased too as there is some part that may make readers feel uncomfortable with.
It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book. Oct 07, 2015 sophies world author says how hed change sophies worlds philosophy 14 book club. In all honesty, the style never really won me over. Jan 01, 2007 sophies world by jostein gaarder is, in my view, a highly successful attempt to write a history of philosophy together with a story. Pdf sophies world book by jostein gaarder free download. I wasnt particularly interested in the story as such. Does reading a novelor any bookconstitute a philosophical project. Sophie s world download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi.
Sofies verden is a 1991 novel by norwegian writer jostein gaarder. Sophies world paperback january 1, 1996 by jostein gaarder author. Apr 12, 2012 a pageturning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of western thought, sophie s world has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, having been. A brilliantly original and fascinating story with many twists and turns, it raises profound questions about the meaning of life and the origin of the universe. He taught highschool philosophy for several years before publishing a collection of short. Sophies world, the first of his books to be published in english, has been translated into 60 languages and has sold over 40 million copies. While sophies world might be a little too advanced, there are other great books for answering childrens questions about the world wed 2 jan 20 06. Sophies world a novel about the history of philosophy jostein gaarder translated by paulette miller berkley books, new york if you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property.
I am very grateful for jostein gaarders contribution to the world of philosophy. At sophies birthday party, the world begins to plunge into chaosa fight begins to break out, and at the last minute, sophie and alberto vanish into thin air, escaping their book altogether. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Sophie s world is a musthave and a mustread for all of us human beings.
He is the author of many other bestselling, beloved novels and childrens books. Jostein gaarders most popular book is sophie s world. If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. A novel about the history of philosophy fsg classics paperback march 20, 2007.
It follows sophie amundsen, a norwegian teenager who is introduced to the history of philosophy by alberto knox, a middleaged philosopher. But the history of philosophy is very well done and informative. One day fourteenyearold sophie amundsen comes home from. Then at the end of sophie s world, the book that hilde is reading, while at a party for sophie on june 15, alberto and sophie disappear. Sophies world a berkley book published by arrangement with farrar, straus and giroux. It has been published in fortyfour languages and in 1995 sophie s world was the best selling book in the world. Sophies world by jostein gaarder is, in my view, a highly successful attempt to write a history of philosophy together with a story. Mar 20, 2007 sophies world by jostein gaarder, 9780374530716, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Gaarder often writes from the perspective of children. Like talking to a stranger, and absurd obscenity somewhere at the end part of the book. Definitely not your run of the mill philosophy book. One day sophie comes home from school to find two questions in her mail. Sophies world encompasses numerous time periods, cultures, discoveries, and belief systems. Sophie s world was originally written in norwegian and became a best seller in norway. This gorgeous 12 month date book, sumptuously produced, designed and illustrated, is the perfect journal for those who know and have read sophie.