SOPHIE'S WORLD - A Novel about the History of Philosophy (First UK edition - first impression - signed by the author)

Jostein Gaarder (Translated from the Norwegian by Paulette Moller)

ISBN 10: 1897580428 / ISBN 13: 9781897580424

Published by Phoenix House (a division of Orion Books Ltd.), London, 1995

About this Item

First impression of the first UK edition - this copy SIGNED by the author on the title page. The English translation was also published in the USA by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. The book was originally published in Norwegian as "Sofies verden" by H. Aschehoug & Co., Oslo in 1991. Translated from the Norwegian by Paulette Moller. ***Very good in brown cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt is still beautifully bright. The boards are clean and unmarked. Head and tail of spine uncreased. Tiny crease to the bottom edge of the front board - otherwise no bumps or creases. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding. No reading creases to the spine. Spine tight. The book would be described as near fine, except for some foxing affecting the top edge and fore-edge of the page block. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions - other than that of the author. Pages clean with no foxing. No creases or tears. The paper used for this production is of nice quality. ***In a near fine illustrated dustwrapper, which retains the original publisher's printed price of £16.99 net. The dustwrapper is virtually flawless - just very slightly creased at the top and tail of the spine. No chips, tears or serious creases. No fading, even to the area near the spine. ***242mm x 155mm. 403 pages including an Index (unusually for a work of fiction). ***'One day Sophie comes home from school to find two questions in her mailbox: Who are you? and Where does the world come from? "Sophie's World" is a fascinating conundrum, a novel of ideas that baffles, illuminates and delights. Woven into it, miraculously, is a complete history of Western philosophy that unravels and explores all the great mysteries of life, death, and the world around us.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'"Sophie's World" is a 1991 novel by Norwegian writer Jostein Gaarder. It follows Sophie Amundsen, a Norwegian teenager, who is introduced to the history of philosophy as she is asked "Who are you?" in a letter from an unknown philosopher. The nonfictional content of the book aligns with Bertrand Russell's The History of Western Philosophy. "Sophie's World" became a best-seller in Norway and won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1994. The English translation was published in 1995, and the book was reported to be the best-selling book in the world that year. By 2011, the novel had been translated into fifty-nine languages, with over forty million print copies sold. It is one of the most commercially successful Norwegian novels outside of Norway, and has been adapted into a film and a PC game.' (Wiki) ***First impression of the true first UK edition, in its original dustwrapper, in very nice collectable condition. This copy has been flat-signed by the author on the title page - scarce thus. The book was very successful and was soon reprinted, so finding first impressions is now difficult. Signed copies are rarely found. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller Inventory # 9182

Bibliographic Details

• Title: SOPHIE'S WORLD - A Novel about the History of Philosophy (First UK edition - first impression - signed by the author)
• Publisher: Phoenix House (a division of Orion Books Ltd.), London
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1897580428
• ISBN 13: 9781897580424
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First UK Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Signed & Limited Editions
  • First Editions
  • Literature in Translation

About this title

Synopsis

Sophie finds two questions in her mailbox: "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?" This is the start of her journey through the history of philosophy, guided by a mysterious mentor. To find the truth, we must understand the questions, but the truth is stranger than Sophie can imagine.

About the Author

Jostein Gaarder is the author of SOPHIE'S WORLD, a huge bestseller in over 40 countries. He was born in Oslo in 1952 and lives there now with his wife and two sons.