A review by violetturtledove
Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder

adventurous funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is an amazing book but it snuck up on me slowly. At first I thought it was cute, that the framing story was pretty simple and a little twee, but that the 'history of philosophy' lesson at the heart of it was interesting and well explained.  I would have kept reading the lesson even without the story. 

But as the story continues, linking in more subtle ways with the lesson, I realised what an intricate and well thought out work this was. 

Despite the intellectual subject matter, its never for a moment dry, and the plot points which seemed a little silly at first started to make sense once I saw how the narrative was growing alongside the lesson. 

I don't think there's any other book like this out there and I'm very glad to have read it.