Resumo de Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder

An intriguing voyage through philosophy from Thales toSartre as seen through the eyes of a teenager, this novelwas originally published in Norwegian in 1991. Written by aformer high school teacher, it has variously been describedas a beginner's guide to philosophy, a fantasy novel, asuspense novel, a mystery novel, lively as a gossip columnand "literary sorcery."The main character, Sophie Amundsen, is a fourteen year oldgirl on the brink of adulthood living in Clover Close,Norway. Sophie's father is away for most of the year,because he is the captain of an oil tanker, and her motherdoesn't get home from work until late in the afternoon, soSophie has acquired a small menagerie to keep her company: acat named Sherekan, a tortoise,two budgies and threegoldfish. Her grandmother died only six months ago.One day in early May, Sophie comes home from school to finda letter waiting for her in the mailbox. The envelope is notstamped, but is addressed to her; the small letter insidehas only three handwritten words on it: WHO ARE YOU? This is only the first of many mysterious epistles Sophiereceives in which the author takes her on a correspondencecourse through 3000 years of Western philosophical reasoningto find The Truth for herself. The course covers topics suchas fate, morals, immortality, religion, evolution, reason,humanism, perception, and truth.Sophie's anonymous letter lifts her out of the triviality oflife so she can see the big picture. As we embark on thejourney with Sophie, we learn of the mythological world viewwhich existed before philosophy, and why philosophy wasinvented. The basic questions that philosophy seeks toanswer are still the same: Why are we here? How did we get here? Is there any meaning to it all? Is there life after death? How should we live? One night Sophie leaves a note in the mailbox for herunknown tutor, asking him to use his name. After spying anelderly man taking it out in the middle of the night andleaving another one in its place, she surmises he is theone. She later meets the old man whose name is Alberto Knox.About halfway through the novel, the main character abruptlychanges to Hilde Moller Knag, a fifteen year old girl fromLillesand whose father is with the UN in Lebanon. (Sophiehad previously seen some postcards addressed to Hilde fromher father in Alberto's cabin but is still not sure if sheis a real person.)Hilde finds a manuscript entitled "Sophie's World" which isa present from her father, Albert Knag, for her fifteenthbirthday. Hilde reviews what Sophie has learned so far aboutphilosophy, then the course resumes from Hilde's point ofview. When her father calls to wish her happy birthday, shetries to find out if Sophie and Alberto are real, but herfather puts her off. Sophie is confused when Alberto tellsher that they are characters in Hilde's story, which inreality is one long monologue on philosophy.At 513 pages, Sophie's World is a comprehensive history ofWestern philosophy, from 600 BC to the present, a modernversion of Alice through the looking glass. It is a goodintroduction to philosophy for those not familiar with thesubject, as well as a basic refresher course for those whoare. This exciting journey into the realm of thought was aninternational best seller, and is an enchanting way to learnphilosophy.

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