Creative Background

Sophie's World is a unique blend of a novel and a philosophy textbook, written by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder. The book was first published in 1991 in Norway and has since been translated into numerous languages, gaining international acclaim.

The creation of Sophie's World was inspired by Gaarder's experiences as a high school philosophy teacher. He noticed a lack of suitable materials for introducing young people to philosophical concepts in an engaging and accessible manner. This led him to conceive the idea of a novel that would double as a basic guide to philosophy.

Gaarder aimed to create a story that would spark curiosity and encourage readers to question the world around them, much like a philosopher. He intertwined the history of philosophy with a fictional narrative, making complex ideas more relatable and understandable.

The book's success can be attributed to its innovative approach to presenting philosophy, as well as its intriguing plot and relatable characters. Sophie's World has become a beloved introduction to philosophy for readers of all ages, fulfilling Gaarder's goal of making philosophy accessible to a wider audience.