Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy

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Summary: A Rare Gift That No One Should Refuse
Review: My high school Humanities teacher picked Sophie out as the introduction to the world of art, philosophy and beauty. It has become the best book I have read. Since then, I gave it as a present to at least ten more people, ages 15 to 61. It has changes the views of them despite of their age. Sophie makes a young person involved in the expanding mystery of life, and an older person to re-live the magical moments of childhood. Most excellent book there is.

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Summary: One of the best books of all times...
Review: From the moment I picked up "Sophie's World" I fell completely in love with it. I am just 14, and don't quite understand everything in it, which makes each time I read it more exciting than the last. The book is filled with suspense and surprise. Not only is the story line excellent, but I feel that it has changed the way I look at my life and my surroundings. This excellent introduction to philosophy has caught my interest so much that I have started reading even more philisophical books. This book was a present from my father, and one I will never forget. I made my mother, father, and grandparents all read it. So far, it has been a huge success in my family. Not only do I feel that I have learned a lot from "Sophie's World," but the important thing is that it has made me want to know more and more!

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Summary: enlightning for the basic steps in philosophy
Review: I found 'Sophie's world' to be a very good book to introduce philosophy to my pupils. The author writes in a way that can keep the attention of the children and in a way they can understand. Normally books about philosophy are heavy and difficult to read, but not this one. My pupils loved every minute of, particuliarly the story in the story. The only comment I can think of is the end.... my pupils were confused about the ending of the book.

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Summary: A great book for someone with no knowledge of philosophy
Review: I loved this book! I normally do not read books of its type but whether you love it or hate it, this book makes you think - this is something that unfortunately a lot of books fail to do. Anything that causes you to question your comfortable assumptions is to be applauded!!!

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Summary: interesting and informative
Review: very good. don't skip the dry sections- they are necessary to understanding the plot.

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Summary: Philisophy and Prosa finally combined
Review: The book is very informative about many philosophists and many ideologies, but I would not advice it for this. I prefer the story in itself, which is funny, very refereshing and absolutely confusing. 'There is only one thing that I cannot have doubts about, and that i-s that I have doubts.' J.-P Sartre. Think about it when reading the book

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Summary: WOW! WHAT A BOOK! GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I believe that I was nestling into the white rabbit's fur at the time I read Sophie's World. This inspiring, deep, beautiful book pushed me to the tips with a yank. This simple book gave me a new view of the world. I now have read some Darwin, a little Freud, and generally am very much more interested in the world around me. After reading Sophie's World, I am now teaching my kids to ask deep questions. My friends are amazed at my philosophical knowledge, my husband is in the midst of "the book", and although my kids are driving me crazy with "philosophical" questions, I'm much happier than before I read the best book I have ever been exposed to...

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Summary: Stilted artificial prose drags along mechanical summary
Review: As a philosophy graduate, I expected to give to my daughter an entertaining, lively discussion of the great philosophical ideas I had explored at university; but I was greatly disappointed to read painfully wooden prose artificially linking a series of letters (from a mysterious writer) summarizing the history of western philosophy for the edification of a young girl who, in my opinion, couldn't possibly understand most of the material.As a novel, the book is a disaster; as a summary of western philosophy, it is adequate, but I would recommend Father Copplestone's far more academic explorations of the same material. My sixteen-year old daughter, incidentally, agrees with my appraisal.

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Summary: Quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read
Review: Despite all the harsh criticism that Sophie's World received in these reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. First I would like to criticize some details, such as the fact that it wasonly a discussion of European Philosophers, and secondly that about 200 years were left undiscussed as they jumped from era to era. However in makning these criticism I am mindful that Mr. Gaarder could only write about that which he was familiar with (Europe), and could not cover every nitty gritty detail. The story line is quite enveloping, and the plot twists are masterful, even if the end could be called a little chidish. I loved the presentation of the philosophical material, because it made it fairly simple to digest, and to remember. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Sophie's Worl is definitely a masterpiece!

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Summary: Story Around Philosophy Simple: Philosophy Interesting
Review: The fat (fictional story) around the muscle (philosophy) is slightly immature and simplistic, but the philosophical references encourage further learning. To this end, I think the book is a success: the book entices new readers of philosophy making them ask "why", wonder about systems of thought, consider perspectives on religion, ethnocentrism and worldly endeavours. In such a materialistic, impatient and superficial North American culture, it's refreshing to read a book that comments on intensely important and meaningful questions about our existence.