“The Life and Death of Sophie Stark” Raises Questions About the Human Condition
A review of one of my favorite books of all time
“And that was when I knew, even though I didn’t really understand what the movie was about yet, that the woman was so, so lonely, even with the people who loved her.” — Anna North, The Life and Death of Sophie Stark
The Life and Death of Sophie Stark is one of my favorite novels I’ve ever read. It’s a fascinating character study about the life of a troubled, indie filmmaker told from the perspective of those who knew her. Aside from the compelling characters and unique style, the existential themes about art, identity, and loneliness resonated with me on a personal level.
Plot Summary
The story chronicles Sophie’s early life, her first film, her growing success, and eventually her demise. Her tendency to use stories from the lives brings her acclaim despite straining her relationships. Instead of hearing from Sophie herself, we learn bits and pieces about her through the six people closest to her:
Allison: actress, lover, and subject of Sophie’s second movie, Marianne
Robbie: Sophie’s younger brother, and protector
