The international bestseller about life, the universe and everything. 'A simply wonderful, irresistible book' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'A terrifically entertaining and imaginative story wrapped round its tough, thought-provoking philosophical heart' DAILY MAIL 'Remarkable ... an extraordinary achievement' SUNDAY TIMES When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself? To solve the riddle, she uses her new knowledge of philosophy, but the truth is far stranger than she could have imagined. An addictive blend of mystery, philosophy and fantasy, Sophie's World is an international phenomenon which has been translated into 60 languages and sold more than 40 million copies.
The international bestseller about life, the universe and everything. 'A simply wonderful, irresistible book' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'A terrifically entertaining and imaginative story wrapped round its tough, thought-provoking philosophical heart' DAILY MAIL 'Remarkable ... an extraordinary achievement' SUNDAY TIMES When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself? To solve the riddle, she uses her new knowledge of philosophy, but the truth is far stranger than she could have imagined. An addictive blend of mystery, philosophy and fantasy, Sophie's World is an international phenomenon which has been translated into 60 languages and sold more than 40 million copies.
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Find Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy Jostein Gaarder in PDF, EPUB, ebook, audiobook, print, or library editions.
Find Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy Jostein Gaarder in PDF, EPUB, ebook, audiobook, print, or library editions.
1 books in catalog
Combining philosophical inquiry with narrative fiction for young readers and adults, the 1991 novel Sophie's World introduced millions of global readers to the history of Western thought through the story of a teenager receiving mysterious philosophical lessons in the mail. Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder created the work after spending over a decade teaching high school philosophy, religion, and literature, turning complex intellectual history into an engaging, multi-layered mystery.
Born in Oslo, Norway, on August 8, 1952, Jostein Gaarder completed his education in Oslo before entering the field of education. He worked as a high school teacher in Norway for eleven years, instructing students in philosophy, religion, and literature. During this career, he engaged in broader educational and literary projects, lecturing, co-authoring textbooks, and writing poetry and articles for newspapers. He made his literary debut with short stories published in 1982 and 1986, followed by his initial children's books, Barna fra Sukhavati in 1987 and Froskeslottet in 1988.
Following the international publication of Sophie's World, Gaarder transitioned to writing full-time. First published in Norwegian as Sofies verden in 1991 and translated into English in 1994, the book became the top-selling novel worldwide in 1995. Over subsequent decades, Gaarder expanded his bibliography with numerous novels and children's titles, including The Solitaire Mystery, Through a Glass, Darkly, Vita Brevis, The Ringmaster's Daughter, The Orange Girl, The Christmas Mystery, Anna. A Fable About the Earth's Climate and Environment, and The Puppeteer.
A central element of Gaarder's prose is his reliance on child and youth perspectives, which allow his narratives to emphasize wonder, open-minded questioning, and philosophical curiosity. His works frequently feature metafictional structures, including nested stories and internal texts, that invite readers to reflect on the nature of reality and literary construction. By incorporating historical, ethical, and existential topics—ranging from classical philosophy to modern environmental responsibility—into narrative frameworks, Gaarder bridges instructional subjects with imaginative storytelling.
1 books in catalog
Combining philosophical inquiry with narrative fiction for young readers and adults, the 1991 novel Sophie's World introduced millions of global readers to the history of Western thought through the story of a teenager receiving mysterious philosophical lessons in the mail. Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder created the work after spending over a decade teaching high school philosophy, religion, and literature, turning complex intellectual history into an engaging, multi-layered mystery.
Born in Oslo, Norway, on August 8, 1952, Jostein Gaarder completed his education in Oslo before entering the field of education. He worked as a high school teacher in Norway for eleven years, instructing students in philosophy, religion, and literature. During this career, he engaged in broader educational and literary projects, lecturing, co-authoring textbooks, and writing poetry and articles for newspapers. He made his literary debut with short stories published in 1982 and 1986, followed by his initial children's books, Barna fra Sukhavati in 1987 and Froskeslottet in 1988.
Following the international publication of Sophie's World, Gaarder transitioned to writing full-time. First published in Norwegian as Sofies verden in 1991 and translated into English in 1994, the book became the top-selling novel worldwide in 1995. Over subsequent decades, Gaarder expanded his bibliography with numerous novels and children's titles, including The Solitaire Mystery, Through a Glass, Darkly, Vita Brevis, The Ringmaster's Daughter, The Orange Girl, The Christmas Mystery, Anna. A Fable About the Earth's Climate and Environment, and The Puppeteer.
A central element of Gaarder's prose is his reliance on child and youth perspectives, which allow his narratives to emphasize wonder, open-minded questioning, and philosophical curiosity. His works frequently feature metafictional structures, including nested stories and internal texts, that invite readers to reflect on the nature of reality and literary construction. By incorporating historical, ethical, and existential topics—ranging from classical philosophy to modern environmental responsibility—into narrative frameworks, Gaarder bridges instructional subjects with imaginative storytelling.
