Solitaire Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Simple oh so simple
Review: This book is simple. Not interesting enough for adults and not delightful enough for children, I can't imagine who could possibly like it. Using a card for each chapter was the only clever thing about it.

Rating:
Summary: This book was captivating!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Unlike Sophie's world, which bored me at times, The Solitaire Mystery captured my attention throughout the book. The amazing plot, topped with a light sprinkling of philosiphy, and a dash of humor, made for a delicious book. After reading it, I developed an interest in cards. I see my myself as a joker. This book was fantastic.

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Summary: A thought-provoking self-examination
Review: _The Solitaire Mystery_ quickly became my "new favorite book" after I finished it. Any book that deals with the tough phiosophical topics of fate, predetermination, and chance that presents itself as an "adult bedtime story" is great in my opinion. It was a good exercise to try to identify myself amongst the pack of cards: I decided I was definitley the joker--the one who looks too deep and thinks too much. I encourage anyone who is looking to define their place in life to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: "USER FRIENDLY PHILOSOPHICAL ENQUIRY"
Review: As in Sophies World, the virtues of philosophical enquiry are well packaged in a gripping adventure tale told through the eyes of a twelve year old boy. Using the same formula as his other writings, this novel is a story within a story. The way the author links the two levels is ingenious ("the inner box unpacks the outer box at the same time as the outer box unpacks the inner"). The various themes of the recovering alcoholic, the reunion of a family and the ignorance of society in general are very skillfully knitted together. This book is difficult to categorise, but stands out in creativity and originality, like a joker from a pack of cards.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful
Review: I read Sophie's World about a year and a half before I read Solitaire Mystery. I had loved Sophie's World, and when I saw this book in the store, I bought it without question. I read it over about two days. The philosophy was not as overwhelming as in Sophie's World, and I think this was much more creative. Gaarder has such an imagination!

Rating:
Summary: This philosophical book really makes one think.
Review: I found The Solitaire Mystery to have very vivid characters and a good plot. I think that it is much more captivating than Sophie's World, which I also read. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to think. It raises many questions in one's mind, but answers few. This book interwines past and present, fate and chance, a card game and 'real' life. Although taking place in the land of the philosophers, the main character in this book, Hans, has modern day family problems. This book starts when Hans and his father go off to find Hans' mother who went off to 'find herself'. As they drive to find Hans' mother, they are followed by a strange midget who Hans suspects to be a living card: a joker. A baker in a small village gives Hans a book: a book about living cards...Is it true? One thing Hans does realize is that throughout time there will always be a 'joker'. I think that although this book raises questions about who we are and what our purpose is, it gives one hope; it tells one that although one comes from dust and eventually returns to dust, one's ideas are alive always

Rating:
Summary: One of my favourite books of all time.
Review: This book would have to be one of my absolute favourite books of all time. Unlike the world famous, Sophie's World by Gaarder, which reads like a textbook with an occational plot, the Solitare Mystery succeeds in fully incorporating philsophical exploration into the magical adult fairy tale. In otherwords it is a far more enjoyable read than Sophie's World. I hightly recommend it to anyone. Older children would even enjoy this read, and it would make a great book to read during those difficult transition years when teenagers move from childrens to adult books.

For reference the story is continued on to some extent in the book by Gaarder 'Maya'.

I must also note that while this book was absolutely fantastic, in future books (with the exception of the most recent one, 'The Ring master's Daughter'), Gaarder takes the analogy of the pack of cards in particular the joker as the philosopher a bit too far. He does this in the kids books too. So enjoy this one, because it is one of his best!

Rating:
Summary: The Solitaire Mystery
Review: I consider The Solitaire Mystery a beautiful secret that avid readers are not aware of. It is satisfying, heart-warming literature.

This is a book for people who are not satisfied with modern writing that is hollow and formulaic. It is engrossed in similes and metaphors. It also incorporates a lot of philosophical ideas (some of which are reminiscent of Sophie's World.)

The novel interlocks two different stories - one from the present and one from the past - to illustrate the circularity of life. The premise of the present story is about the journey of a man and his son across Europe to search for his wife. The subtitle accurately describes the book - it is about family.

I highly recommend this novel to people of all ages. It is extremely thought-provoking and simply wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Look at life in a whole new fashion
Review: The Solitaire Mystery, while written in the vein of fantastical young adult literature, transcends any particular genre or age group. Gaarder incorporates his philosophy expertise into this ingeniously crafted tale that sparks the imagination and galvanizes the spirit. As we follow a truly singular dichotomy of tales -- one in the real world and one in a magical world of Rainbow Soda and a living and breathing deck of cards.

One cannot truly do justice to this incredible tome in an abbreviated book review other than by simply exhorting others to read it and discover the magic for oneself. Valuable life lessons and refreshing new outlooks on life are yours for the asking...errr, I mean reading.

"The only thing I know is that I know nothing."
- Socrates (as quoted by Gaarder)

Rating:
Summary: The best philosophy lesson ever!!!
Review: I have read many of Gaarder's books, and so far this is my favourite (and not just his but by any author). Compared to Sophie's world, which has a sort of text book feel to it, this book has a plot and is truly captivating...till the very end (as is all Gaarder's books). I especially like the discussions between the boy and his father. Also the 'solitaire calender'. And how all the characters are so tangled up. This book will definitely get you thinking about life, in a way you have never done. Enjoy!!