Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sophie’s World is a delightful Intro to Philosophy course wrapped in several layers to make it easier to stomach. It begins innocuously enough, with young 14-going-on-15-year-old Sophie Amundsen receiving a letter in the mail and finding herself suddenly involved in a correspondence-based philosophy course with a mysterious teacher. Sophie runs through a comprehensive history of philosophy through her letters, while also trying to figure out the secret behind the many “Happy Birthday, Hilde!” messages hidden throughout her own narrative. Soon, she begins to question whether she herself is even real. This book is highly recommended for those interested in philosophy whether already well-versed in it or not. It provides a great starting platform for those who are just getting started and an excellent diversion for those that are already experienced in the field. – Elisabeth S. ’16
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