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Summary: A MUST-read book for intellectuals and open-minded
Review: I have read this book and I find it absolutely delightful. This book is a definate must-read for those who study philosophy or are interested in philosophy. Any other open-minded people who find books nowadays which are filled with VHS (Violence, Horror and Sex) too 'owerpowering' for their needs should read this book.To say that this book is good is an understatement. It not only serves as an enjoyable reading material but as a true enlighterment for people who have read it. So what are you waiting for? Go get it now!!!
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Summary: impressive
Review: Very, very well written. The otherwise dry history of philosophy was written from a refreshing, youthful point of view. Stop and wonder ... who are you? where do you come from?
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Summary: If Alice had choked and died on a chess peice...
Review: I can't keep myself from voicing my opinion of this book. I read alot on philosophy and metaphysical subjects, and thought this book would be right up my alley. I shouldn't have trusted the jacket. I thought it was uninspired and sterile. Some topics just can't be happily force fed to the general public no matter how basic a story line. I think this book is a way for pseudo-intellectuals to feel caught up. Sort of like cliff's notes blended together with pillow talk from our apathetical, lazy moder society. I'm sorry Jostein, don't let one punk kids opinion get you down...but this isn't one i pass on to friends.
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Summary: Good on philosophy, bad on story.
Review: I can imagine Mr. Gaarder is or would be a fine philosophy teacher, and the history of philosophy contained in the book was very interesting and informative if, like me, when people say "Let's talk about Kant" you say "OK, I can't fly". However, the story is quite weak for anybody over the age of 14-16. On the one hand I think 14-year old would find some of the philosophy a bit much, whereas someone slightly older would find the story too childish. A nice index in the back, though, for the next time I have to crib my way through a conversation about Kant!
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Summary: What is Philosophy ?
Review: Excellent introduction into the matter within the frame of a quaint, intriguing plot, with postmodernist overtones.The "Neverending Story" of philosophy.
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Summary: Disturbing undertones of paedophilia
Review: Yes, it is supremely original. Yes, it is a brilliant philosophical primer. And yes, the chapter on Darwin is the best short summary (rather than simplification, which is more usual) of evolution theory that I have ever read. But I couldn't help feeling that there are strong undertones of paedophilia in the surface story, about an older man sending billets-doux to a young girl, enticing her into his strange world, and even dressing up for her! Don't try this at home.
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Summary: Not an intense read, but very enjoyable and informative!
Review: Reading "Sophie's World" is like being in a sort of dream. It is like "Alice in Wonderland" in a sense, not to be taken too seriously, simply meant to be enjoyed and marvelled at in a childish way. What all these readers critisizing the plot and characters need to realize is that the story part of this book is not meant to be incredibly 'deep'. This book is supposed to be a simple introduction to philosophy, the charaters don't need to be too complex because it is not meant to be an intense novel ! "Sophie's World" needs to be approached with a light heart, and read the way "Through the Looking Glass" would be. Look at this book though the eyes of a child who has everything to learn about the world, and you will be dazzled and amazed; look at it though the eyes of a sensible adult, without allowing yourself to float around the room, and you will wonder why the book has won so much acclaim. Anyone who has already studied philosophy should probably skip this book, since it is just the very basics, but it will definitely get a young reader, or someone who doesn't know much about philosohy interested in learning more. I thought the book achieved the author's intent perfectly, it introduces the reader to the wonders of the world of the great philosophers, that is all the book is meant for, don't try to find some deeper purpose, don't critisize the characters for being too 'one dimentional' when they were never intended to be more!
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Summary: Read it as a text book for philosophy, not the silly story
Review: I like it in its simple, understandable presentation of western philosophy, i like the beginning of the story which create so many suspense, ...hmmm... i like the high quality of paper in this edition, but the story is really very stupid and unnecessary in the first place. I'm open to the possibility that i wasn't able to get it. END
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Summary: Sophie in Wonderland or Alice's Adventures in Reality
Review: I found Sophie's World to be a charming and fascinating hybrid between a Philosophy 101 text and Alice in Wonderland -- complete with the metaphor of a rabbit! Of course, nitpickers can find faults in any hybrid. The book's breadth may cause it to suffer in depth; even 513 pages are too short for covering the entirety of the Western world's thoughts. However, I found it the perfect refresher for material I studied decades ago, and the index makes it a good reference. I hope to go back and reread the book in a few years for the story part. On my first reading, I guess I expected the puzzle pieces to fit together more neatly than they seemed to (did I miss something?) But I loved the characters and mystery. I loved the old (or Old World) storybook garden atmosphere that gives that young girl the time and mental/emotional space to reflect on mysteries, tangible and intangible. Yes, the story requires a certain willing suspension of disbelief, but I pity the critics who call Sophie naive and who blast Jostein Gaarder for letting her enter into correspondence with the shadowy Alberto Knox. Gaarder's philosophy tour could have been conducted in a different framework, of course. Perhaps, instead of Sophie, Gaarder could have told the story through the eyes of some teen-ager more immersed in contemporary woes -- some kid entertained by drugs, and by groups that scream the praises of mutilation and torture cacaphonously on a stage. Perhaps that kid could be introduced to philosophy by some savvy predator instead of the benign Alberto, and would have to sort out reality from such a reference point. Such a story should probably end with postmodernism (which Gaarder didn't deal with). It could be an interesting, and quite different book, though I think I would still prefer Sophie's World!
-- C. Edwards
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Summary: Adolescent girl has clandestine meetings with "teacher"
Review: My son, age 14, and I read this book together. He loved the philosophical material and did not seem discouraged by the rather onerous plot. I am glad to have Nick's mind opened to new paths of inquiry. I am concerned about an aspect of the plot. The adolescent Sophy repeatedly lies to her mother and runs off to have clandestine meetings with a middle-aged man, completely unknown to her, in a variety of isolated settings, following the lure that he will teach her new things. She finally runs away with him. Am I the only one who considers this a bizarre "model" to give to children? Even my 14 year old said, "Isn't that the sort of thing you told me never to do? He could molest her." The intro to philosophy is fine, but I found more to object to in the story than a cumbersome plot.
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