Culture Writer Megan Hughes reviews the graphic novel Sophie’s World Vol II, praising the use of the genre to chart the complex history of philosophy
Adapted from Jostein Gaarder’s book of the same name, Sophie’s World Vol II: From Descartes to the Present Day is a graphic novel (words by Vincent Zabus and art by Nicoby) that follows fifteen-year-old Sophie and her mentor figure Alberto through an educational Odyssey as they explore a history of philosophy from Descartes to our present. It follows on from the first volume in the series, though the novel can be understood without reading the first.
Sophie’s World Vol II steps into deep philosophical questions almost immediately. Within the first few pages, we see our two main characters gain self-awareness in a scene that breaks the fourth wall without it feeling as though the reader is intruding into their world. The awareness that the characters hold of their own dependence on who they call their anonymous ‘creator’ begins a thread of inquiry into what it means to exist and whether autonomy is ever truly possible.
Sophie’s World Vol II steps into deep philosophical questions almost immediately
The novel contains humour suitable for a wide range of ages from teenagehood onwards. A joke about Alberto removing his clothes so that the comic could not be printed in order to spite his creator is delightfully petty considering his advanced age and purported wisdom, but also ironically relevant in the current landscape of book banning. Humour is necessary in this graphic novel, since the story touches on several poignant topics such as the creator’s daughter Hilde feeling torn between pride at her dad’s desire to educate with his comics and abandoned by the frequent absences this requires of him.
Before beginning Sophie’s World Vol II, I was sceptical as to how a history of philosophy could be incorporated into a fictional story with its own independent narrative. However, I need not have worried, because this book takes us by the hand and introduces different philosophers with character dialogue that subtly introduces their most well-known theories. For example, before the comic introduces its first philosopher, Descartes, we see Alberto struggle with ideas of selfhood and autonomy, which becomes the perfect transition for Descartes’ views on the link between the body and the mind.
Sophie is a delightful character: self-assured in her own knowledge, she is also aware of her limits
Sophie is a delightful character: self-assured in her own knowledge, she is also aware of her limits and, instead of being disappointed by them, seeks to expand her mind instead. She is the perfect role model for the curious child and adult alike. Despite being irreverent when the story (and her age) requires it, she is also the emotional force behind the book and perfectly balances Alberto’s (on the whole) more rational look on life. Additionally, the book’s artwork has a nostalgic feel to it and is used as a subtle way of signposting the different theories and branches of philosophy that we follow through history. This allows for the characterisation of Sophie and Alberto outside of their educational journey by enabling us a coherent return.
Alongside the question of Sophie’s identity and whether she exists beyond the designs of her creator, environmental justice is another theme that runs through the graphic novel. It is used as a frame to introduce the idea of the social contract, for example, and situates the story topically within our society where the youngest generations are being brought up with climate change as a serious and impending threat rather than just a theoretical debate. A nice parallel of Sophie being able to act as a role model for younger generations is that she too finds a role model in Greta Thunberg, bridging her reality with ours.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in philosophy, regardless of your prior knowledge
Despite the gravitas we would associate with a history of philosophy, the form of the graphic novel perfectly lends itself to tell this story. By being able to stretch the realms of reality, the artwork in the book provides hypothetical thought experiments with visual representation to aid our understanding of the complicated conditions underlying philosophical eras such as the Enlightenment. Providing graphic caricatures of the philosophers humanises them in a way that a textbook could never achieve.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in philosophy, regardless of your prior knowledge. Even if philosophy is not your forte, Sophie’s World Vol II will still appeal to anyone looking for a refreshing read this Christmas. Whilst the novel at times leaves you with a heavy heart, it ends on a message of hope, as Alberto and Sophie realise the potential of their own freedom.
The English-language Sophie’s World Vol II is published by SelfMadeHero and is available now
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