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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This book has been on my mind a lot lately. I read it when I was younger, and I have had the urge to read it again. And before I say anything else, let me say that I know this book is undoubtedly a product of its time.
I was left with big questions at the beginning of the novel and enjoyed the overall format. I even had to pause between chapters to reflect on what I was reading, which leads me to believe that this book was meant to be consumed over a longer period of time as it focuses heavily on exposition. I always thought it was as whimsy as it was informative, and it's a great way to introduce philosophy and other topics teens learn in school. It was even peppered with a mystery involving Sophie and Hilde, which was a nice touch.
Despite all this, I felt more and more uncomfortable reading it. I know it’s supposed to be about an encounter and an unlikely friendship between a teenage girl and a grown man. Still, I couldn’t stop myself from being extremely anxious every time Sophie went to Alberto. And the way she was reckless, the way she didn't tell anyone anything, the way she disappeared for hours on end without anybody asking questions... That was worrying.
I know Sophie is a teenager, but she was also very rude to Alberto, who she also admired a lot? The interactions were a little forced and I got tired of them quickly. The same goes for the information overload. At a certain point in the book, the chapters got longer and longer, with lots of exposition and less of the musings I enjoyed in the first third of the novel. I found myself wanting to read this book less and less, and before I fall into a reading slump, I’m sorry to say it’s a DNF for me.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's not often we see the world without imposing any of our so-called innate values, reason, conscious impulses, have sighful serene moments watching the rustling trees, bees, birds while the Sun rises and showers its bright beams on everything that's experienceable by us. I don't know if make understand the feeling. It's a life worth living alone for that.
Basically there are two things distinct in this book - descriptive history of Western Philosophy (schools of thought as digestible light food) and the narrative structure ( light workout after the food provided) with the involved characters philosophizing themselves and challenging to make us do the same. Even though in the end its a bit of letdown with the plot, learning is rich and I'm grateful for this one. Also on the journey, I found a lot of love for certain philosophers like Hume, Kierkegaard. Got to read them more.
I remember very well the tuesday I took the train to city library years ago to read myself Camus' The Stranger. While going, I was pretty much thinking about the possibilities and dilemma of leading an existential life. Having lived the questions for a couple of years, I realize the value of the answers I got from Sartre in this book. Yet there are more questions than ever to live with for they say such is life and so it goes.
This is the fundamental easy to grasp book that I know for reading about the history of Western Philosophy. There are few more but I don't think it would be of much interest atleast for beginners like myself. Having read the kid's work, I'm planning sooner to shift the readind to adult's level by taking up Will Durant's. Maybe someday I'll able to read legend's like Bertrand Russell.
Basically there are two things distinct in this book - descriptive history of Western Philosophy (schools of thought as digestible light food) and the narrative structure ( light workout after the food provided) with the involved characters philosophizing themselves and challenging to make us do the same. Even though in the end its a bit of letdown with the plot, learning is rich and I'm grateful for this one. Also on the journey, I found a lot of love for certain philosophers like Hume, Kierkegaard. Got to read them more.
I remember very well the tuesday I took the train to city library years ago to read myself Camus' The Stranger. While going, I was pretty much thinking about the possibilities and dilemma of leading an existential life. Having lived the questions for a couple of years, I realize the value of the answers I got from Sartre in this book. Yet there are more questions than ever to live with for they say such is life and so it goes.
This is the fundamental easy to grasp book that I know for reading about the history of Western Philosophy. There are few more but I don't think it would be of much interest atleast for beginners like myself. Having read the kid's work, I'm planning sooner to shift the readind to adult's level by taking up Will Durant's. Maybe someday I'll able to read legend's like Bertrand Russell.
Read this book when you feel like learning stuff & thinking about philosophy. Digestible & entertaining walk through the major schools of Western philosophical thinking inside a plot full of mysteries that keeps you turning the page. I recommend far and wide!
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a great read! It's an interesting story that helps teach a lot about the history of psychology and different types of psychology outlooks. The ending totally threw me for one, too.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced