Sophie's World is a captivating novel by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder, first published in 1991. This philosophical novel, which has become a global bestseller, introduces readers to the history of Western philosophy through the eyes of a young girl named Sophie Amundsen.
The story begins when Sophie, a 14-year-old living in Norway, starts receiving mysterious letters from a philosopher named Alberto Knox. These letters pose profound questions about existence, reality, and knowledge, and gradually, Sophie is drawn into a comprehensive course on philosophy. As she learns about the ideas of great thinkers from Socrates and Plato to Kant and Sartre, Sophie embarks on a journey of intellectual discovery.
Sophie's World is not just a novel; it is an accessible introduction to philosophical thought. Gaarder skillfully weaves together a narrative that is both educational and engaging.