Sophie’s World: A Review
During the course of a philosophy seminar in my last year of school, all of us were assigned different readings for the winter break. The book that I was assigned was Sophie’s World. Reading it did not only acquaint me with the history and fundamentals of philosophy, but also kept me intrigued with an engaging mystery plot. Hence, it took me on a mystical and surreal journey laced with the treasures of philosophical knowledge along the way.
Following is a brief overview of the plot and and key characters (no spoilers!), with the aim being to highlight the novel’s unique and intriguing nature and hopefully encourage more readers to check out this underrated gem of a book.
Jostein Gaarder is the eclectically creative author of the best selling novel, “Sophie’s World”. This book was originally published in the Norwegian language under the title “Sofie’s Verden” in 1991 by H. Aschehoug and Co. A translated version in English was later published in Great Britain by Phoenix House in 1995. This philosophical/mystery novel takes one on a historical journey worth almost 3000 years, commencing from the very beginning of Western philosophy, up to the 20th century.
Set in Norway, the book revolves around a fourteen year old Norwegian school girl, Sophie Amundsen; the main protagonist of the novel. She lives with her mother, while her father resides out of country for most of the year. Just like any other teenager, she lives a quiet and normal life, consumed by the routine happenings and trivialities of daily life. however, her keen mind often questions the existence and functioning of the mundane objects and nature surrounding her. Another major character in the novel is Alberto Knox. A kind and brilliant philosopher, he also holds a mysterious and secretive demeanor. Unknown to everyone, he seems to be nonexistent to the eyes of the living world. However, he walks into Sophie’s life and puts everything in upheaval. Opening her mind to the realm of philosophy and is many questions, he changes the entire course of her life.
One day, Sophie walks home from school to find two anonymous letters, each containing a question for her. One being “Who are you”, and the other “Where did the world come from?” These questions leave Sophie in deep wonder, opening her inquiring mind to view ordinary nature in a new light. These questions are just the beginning. From here on commences her journey through the history of philosophy, as she traverses through the cultures present in the past 3000 years, that are either associated with, or have influenced different philosophical thoughts and schools.
Sophie soon discovers these letters to be from the eccentric philosopher Alberto Knox. Through the continual inflow of these letters, and later in person, he unveils a new approach to the mundane questions of life, which, he believes resides deep in the folds of one’s obvious reason and understanding for anything that exists. He pushes her mind into understanding the world and its many ideas by questioning their mere existence, as well as their very root and core form, before accepting them as a part of this world. This is one of the core themes of the novel, recurring at significant moments throughout the story.
Sophie embarks on her journey from the very beginning of philosophical time, known as the “Pre Socratic” period. A time where philosophical thought was all but on the brink of revelation. Together with Alberto, they navigate their way through the myths existing at that time and learn about the natural philosophers who developed their own understanding and theories about the existence and origin of the universe. Thus, setting a firm philosophical foundation in terms of thought and approach for many years to come. In this way, with each letter/session their journey prevails.
From thereon she enters the world of Greek Philosophy. It is there that she is introduced to Socrates’ ideas of wisdom and knowledge, while also understanding Plato’s division of form in the real world and its immutable ideas that exist in eternity, and lastly, becoming familiar with Aristotle’s theory of categorizing all existing elements.
In this manner, with each letter/session, their journey prevails, as Sophie and Knox channel their way through different phases of Western history, all the while making links with the period’s respective philosophical climate. Hence, they take a glimpse at some of the greatest epochs that took place before and after the birth of Christ. They walk along the Greco-Roman culture, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism among many. Through these periods, Sophie’s ,mind is enriched with the knowledge of some of the greatest philosophers and cultures associated with the different movements, and the impact of their thought processes and reasoning on the respective societies which gradually set the basis for modern philosophy.
Along with these letters and sessions, in order to exercise her thinking engine further, Knox also asks Sophie many questions about the philosophers that he introduces her to. Such questions, along with the philosophy course, get Sophie’s mind whizzing, leaving her with heavy pondering and more questions unanswered than answered. It influences her to view everything in a different light, or from an unconventional angle. It enables her to adopt a view so objective, a path of reasoning never traversed, that at times everything, including her own existence becomes a stranger to her.
Simultaneous with this philosophical journey, postcards arrive periodically for Sophie, with the identity of the sender being unknown once again. However, these postcards are not meant for her, but rather, are addressed to a girl named Hyde Moller Knag. Hence, Sophie is just a correspondent. who is supposed to forward these letters to Hyde, whom she has never met. The only thing that they both share are their birthdays. It is soon discovered that these these postcards are from Hyde’s father in Lebanon who wants her to have these by her birthday. Although intrigued, Sophie is also wary of them and tries not to pay much heed to the whole situation. This proves difficult, once the postcards become alarmingly frequent, turning up in the most strange places. This little mystery plot entwines neatly with the philosophical elements of the book. That is because the answers to Sophie and Knox’s philosophical realities, and Hyde’s father’s motives and existence lie at the end of the philosophy course. Hence, in a nail biting frenzy, we rush through the remaining years of Western philosophy along with Sophie and Knox, tackling challenges thrown their way in the form of complicated arguments, in order to find answers, purpose, and liberation.
Sophie’s World is one of the most unique books one may stumble upon. Intriguing, mysterious and thought-provoking, it opens the reader’s mind to the world of philosophy and its most fundamental questions, such as the argument about one’s existence (another recurring theme and question). The author’s objective in this book is to probe the reader into questioning and applying a philosophical approach to those mundane aspects of nature and existence that one rarely ponders upon, or believes about them the reasoning fed to the subconscious since the beginning of time. Gaarder does this by taking the reader on a steady journey through the fundamentals and truths of Western philosophy, uncovering complicated notions and discourses, and then breaking these down into simple reasoning and core ideas.
This recurring process of a simplistic breakdown of complicated concepts brings me to one of the best qualities of this book, i.e, the writing. The simplistic nature of its prose and narrative is what so effectively conveys the messages of the book. That is because philosophical truths and ideas are difficult to comprehend entirely in one reading. Gaarder explains these concepts through very relate-able examples grounded in our everyday reality. Most importantly, it is through Sophie that we are taught these ideas, and it is through her mind and eyes that we perceive and comprehend these philosophical concepts; a young girl whose existing philosophical knowledge does not surpass that of most of the book’s laymen readers. In this way, Gaarder has been able condense 3000 years worth of history into a novel consisting less than 500 pages.
Another interesting aspect of the book is the underlying mystery of the postcards present, which slowly rises to the limelight, becoming one with the philosophical aspect. This keeps the readers in constant search for the link between the two sides of the novel.
One possible weakness of the book may be its slow start, which abruptly gives way to a much faster pace in the latter half, as many aspects and themes come to the forefront. This may disorient some readers. However, I believe this certain pace was an intentional decision, in order to make the readers feel the sense of urgency that dominates Knox and Sophie’s decisions and actions in the latter half of the story.
I found Sophie’s World to be extremely knowledgeable, interesting, and thought provoking, leaving a vivid impression on me. Each chapter nudged me to view my surroundings and existence through the same objectivity and lens of unconventional reasoning as Sophie.
I would recommend this book to all reading enthusiasts. While the novel could have been as dull and monotonous as a history book, the friendly and casual tone of the narrative voice, along with a mystery plot, keeps the readers engaged and the flow easy to follow. By approaching philosophical theories through questions about our own lives, and mental processes (How do we know things?, What controls our morals and ethics? etc.), the concepts and understanding derived become more personal and real, as opposed to being mere textbook knowledge. You may not agree with all conclusions and ideas presented in the novel (if you decide to read it), just as I do not, but it will instill the habit to always question and ponder upon the very mundane aspects of the nature, universe, and everyday life.
Well, I guess I have made my case for the book, so please do give it a try. Happy reading!
