This book has been on my mind a lot lately. I read it when I was younger, and I have had the urge to read it again. And before I say anything else, let me say that I know this book is undoubtedly a product of its time. 

I was left with big questions at the beginning of the novel and enjoyed the overall format. I even had to pause between chapters to reflect on what I was reading, which leads me to believe that this book was meant to be consumed over a longer period of time as it focuses heavily on exposition. I always thought it was as whimsy as it was informative, and it's a great way to introduce philosophy and other topics teens learn in school. It was even peppered with a mystery involving Sophie and Hilde, which was a nice touch. 

Despite all this, I felt more and more uncomfortable reading it. I know it’s supposed to be about an encounter and an unlikely friendship between a teenage girl and a grown man. Still, I couldn’t stop myself from being extremely anxious every time Sophie went to Alberto. And the way she was reckless, the way she didn't tell anyone anything, the way she disappeared for hours on end without anybody asking questions... That was worrying. 

I know Sophie is a teenager, but she was also very rude to Alberto, who she also admired a lot? The interactions were a little forced and I got tired of them quickly. The same goes for the information overload. At a certain point in the book, the chapters got longer and longer, with lots of exposition and less of the musings I enjoyed in the first third of the novel. I found myself wanting to read this book less and less, and before I fall into a reading slump, I’m sorry to say it’s a DNF for me.