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Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy

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Book I Haven't Read Yet: Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder. 

Why I Haven't Read It: Some books are intimidating. This is one that has always confounded me, but I think that's deeply tied to my religious trauma.


So, my high school boyfriend gifted Sophie's World to me as a high school graduation gift. Or maybe a birthday gift. I can't quite recall, since it's been over two decades. So, for over twenty years, I've held tight to this book, even started reading it a couple of times. But I always end up placing it back on a shelf. 

This book has lived with me in five different cities, and has traveled to at least 4 different states. It's spent time on psych wards with me. It's a book I turn to when the mania takes over and makes my brain mushy. I've even left notes to self in the front cover, so that the next time I'm manic, when I undoubtedly reach for this book, I'll see said notes and give myself a bit of direction. The first time it happened, it felt like such an epiphany. This past time, it just felt obvious. I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for almost as long as I've owned this book. I'm getting better at my manic moments, in some ways. But, that's probably more than you wanted to know. A story for another day.

I'm starting to think I should actually read Sophie's World. Move it higher up the TBR list and start it after the new year. As a teen, I floundered, terrified to reach for spiritual answers outside of a Christian Tome. After a bout with atheism in my twenties, I really just put it all aside and said, Forget It. Now, in my 40's, I know I need some sort of way to feel about the universe, about our meaning here, about what happens after. 

Sophie's World tells the story of a school girl who finds a letter in her mailbox. The letter contains two questions.

Who are you?

Where does the world come from?

Sophie begins a journey of learning everything from Socrates to Sartre and more, from a mysterious philosopher. Then she starts receiving someone else's mail - Hilde's mail. Who is she? What is this riddle? 

Hell if I know. I haven't read it.

A note about the author: Jostein Gaarder - A Norwegian intellectual, he often writes from the perspective of children, exploring their sense of wonder about the world, according to a quick review of his Wikipedia page. Now aged 70, he wrote of Sophie more than 30 years ago. He is an award winning author and a theologian. 

Should You Read Sophie's World?  It's a tour de force, coming in at just over 500 paperback pages. I'm going to read it next year. You might enjoy it, too.

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