I kid you not, this is an amazing introduction to the history of ideas. Philosophy has a reputation of being abstract and irrelevant to everyday life. Through out the book Gaarder makes philosophy exciting and relevant to the protagonist, and in doing so the reader is caught up in the excitement. You cant put this book down as you anticipate how the author will weave thinkers like Kant or Sartre through out the plot. It makes you wonder why there are not more books of this genre. Imagine the ideas and thinkers of economics, politics, psychology and sociology coming alive in fictional stories for young adults. Don't be fooled, this book has something for the wise sage too.