Book Review: Sophie’s world by Jostein Gaarder 

This book not only serves as a superb introduction to philosophy but it also gives the readers endless food for thought on a broad range of topics. However, this is not your ordinary volume where the writer merely spoon feeds you with information, It’s one that will transform the way you see the world forever.

In 400 pages, Jostein Gaarder not only tells the story of three thousand years of intellectual thought but also the story of Sophies Amundsen, a seemingly normal Norwegian schoolgirl. The story, presented in a manner not very different to socratic dialogues, begins with Sophie disocvering two mysterious pieces of paper in her mailbox; on them written the questions “Who are you?” and “Where do you come from?”. Little does she know that it is a start of a philosophical course from a enigmatic philosopher called Alberto Knox.

As Alberto allows sophie to journey through the history of western philosophy; from pre-Socratcs to Sarte, Sophie’s own world is teeming with unresolved mysteries.  She begins to receive postcards from a strange UN general who, in fact, was meant to be sending his letters to his daughter and not Sophie. Soon it becomes clear that he is sending the letters to Sophie on purpose. 

The story takes a mind-bending twist as Sophie begins to see the world from an entirely new light and begins to comprehend who she is and where she really comes from. Its the sort of book that will keep you up all night, even once you’ve finished reading it. A marvelous read, indeed!