Overview

A picture book with fundamental philosophical questions, posed in a way only Jostein Gaarder is capable of. The illustrator has made an independent visual narrative that underscores the existential aspect of Jostein Gaarder's philosophical questions. Questions Asked shows confidence in a child's capacity to think deeply and read between the lines. The book follows a little boy traveling alone in an open landscape. Soon we realize he is on a journey of thoughts and dreams, asking questions about loss, myth, language, magic, and what it means to be a human being. Jostein Gaarder's philosophical questions merge with the beautiful illustrations of Akin D zakin into a tale of friendship, love, and grief - and about daring to think about life as you live it.

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9780914671664

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Reviews

This is not a book for young children but maybe for graduating high schoolers or religion or philosophy classes. Or a teacher might use it with younger students to evoke discussion, as the questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. <b> Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, <i>Youth Services Book Review</i></b> -- Praise for <i>Sophie's World</i> -- A marvellously rich book. Its success boils down to something quite simple - Gaarder's gift for communicating ideas. <b>--<i>The Guardian</i></b> Challenging, informative and packed with easily grasped, and imitable, ways of thinking about difficult ideas. <b>--<i>Independent</i></b> Remarkable...what Jostein Gaarder has managed to do is condense 3000 years of thought into 400 pages; to simplify some extremely complicated arguments without trivialising them...an extraordinary achievement. <b> --<i>Sunday Times</i></b> A whimsical and ingenious mystery novel that also happens to be a history of philosophy... What is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons. <b> --<i>Washington Post</i></b>

The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. <b>-- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, <i>Youth Services Book Review</i></b> -- Praise for <i>Sophie's World</i> -- A marvellously rich book. Its success boils down to something quite simple - Gaarder's gift for communicating ideas. <b>--<i>The Guardian</i></b> Challenging, informative and packed with easily grasped, and imitable, ways of thinking about difficult ideas. <b>--<i>Independent</i></b> Remarkable...what Jostein Gaarder has managed to do is condense 3000 years of thought into 400 pages; to simplify some extremely complicated arguments without trivialising them...an extraordinary achievement. <b> --<i>Sunday Times</i></b> A whimsical and ingenious mystery novel that also happens to be a history of philosophy... What is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons. <b> --<i>Washington Post </b> This book had me hooked from the very first page. I loved how the casual illustrations and seemingly random questions were able to tell such a deep and heartbreaking story, and I loved how this book showed confidence in children's capacity to understand the world around them and think deeply. I adored the illustrations, and the questions left me thinking a long time after I'd put the book down. 5/5 <b>-- Silke Wadskaer Molgaard, <i>Silkreads</i></b> Wonderful... This book is a kid's perfect philosophical companion. In it one experiences the joy of thinking and the growth of wisdom, imagination, and human values. <i><b>-- Literatur Magazin</b></i> Gaarder and Duzakin prove themselves to be an evenly matched pair. Both of them succeed in opening spaces for thought and associations; both of them prompt us, with this clever, poetic, and lightly melancholic book, to find our own answers to existential questions. <i><b>-- Deutschlandradio</b></i> The text and pictures are inseparable. Unless you want to miss the story completely, you cannot skip one or the other. It is beautiful. <i><b>-- Pages d'encre</b></i> Akin Duzakin plays with our feelings and thoughts, obliging us to question ourselves, to reflect not only on the story of the boy in his illustrations, but - almost in spite of us - on our own story, too... You should read the text and pictures separately, at first, then together, then start over again and again to grasp the incredible force of this book and to savor every one of its subtleties. <i><b>-- Ricochet-Jeunes</b></i> Philosophical themes intertwine in this illustrated story that speaks to us of friendship, being, love, the unknown, fear, and the courage we need to live our own lives and know what and who we really are. <i><b>-- El Mar de tinta</b></i> A book that fosters commonality and that brings us closer together. <i><b>-- Luxemburger Wort</b></i>

This gem by the Norwegian novelist Gaarder, with sweet, spectral art by the Turkish-Norwegian illustrator Duzakin, is a simple list of big questions all of us would do well to ask about life and how best to live it. As the topics flit around delightfully, it avoids being either heavy-handed or precious. . . Any of these could spur a deep conversation with a curious kid -- or adult. -- Maria Russo, New York Times Book Review Questions Asked taps the philosophical tendencies of 5-year-olds and up -- all the way up -- by venturing playfully into unanswerable territory. --Radhika Jones, The New York Times Book Review A heady contemplation of mortality and existence. . . A haunting and provocative reminder that the void left by a person's death or departure is often filled by difficult, even unanswerable questions. -- Publishers Weekly [Jostein Gaarder] brings out the existentialist in even the youngest reader... A story about love, death, and many topics in between... provide[s] an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore their own feelings on these same subjects and the world around them. Quiet, respectful, and touching. -- Kirkus Reviews Moving and meditative . . . Anything's possible here. Give this eerily enchanting, one-of-a-kind collection to curious youngsters--and prepare for discussion. --Briana Shemroske, Booklist [A]n excellent introduction to philosophy. Every question in this book is one that you could discuss for hours ... [A] true wonder for the conversations it will foster between you and your child. -- Annie Farrell, Labyrinth Books [S]tunning works that will stir the imagination and peak the curiosity of young and old readers alike ... a marvel of art, story, and imagination. -- The Gazette (Iowa) A lovely and probing book for older readers unafraid to ponder deep questions of philosophy. --Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, in Youth Services Book Review The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. -- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review Questions Asked is extraordinarily profound and encourages readers to seek answers to their own questions. Perfectly complemented by the beautiful illustrations by Akin Duzakin, author Jostein Gaarder provides a deeply philosophical work that will resonate with readers both young and old. -- Kendal A Rautzhan I wonder, were these questions first asked by these authors? No, these questions have been asked for many, many years, from the day humans started living here. I even wonder, do only humans think about these questions, or do animals, too? My favorite question is, 'Do ghosts and angels exist?' And my answer is no because no one can prove that. At least, I think so. At the same time, I am afraid of darkness, too!! The illustrations are very good and blend with the reader's thoughts. The author did a great job of compiling all these questions. It is a great book-read and enjoy it. -- Roshini, age 9, in Kids Book Buzz This gem by the Norwegian novelist Gaarder, with sweet, spectral art by the Turkish-Norwegian illustrator Duzakin, is a simple list of big questions all of us would do well to ask about life and how best to live it. As the topics flit around delightfully, it avoids being either heavy-handed or precious. Can anyone do real magic tricks? Do miracles happen sometimes? one page asks. Any of these could spur a deep conversation with a curious kid -- or adult. Are experiences more real when I'm awake than when I'm dreaming? Good question. -- New York Times Book Review [Jostein Gaarder] brings out the existentialist in even the youngest reader... A story about love, death, and many topics in between... provide[s] an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore their own feelings on these same subjects and the world around them. Quiet, respectful, and touching. -- Kirkus Reviews Moving and meditative . . . Anything's possible here. Give this eerily enchanting, one-of-a-kind collection to curious youngsters--and prepare for discussion. --Briana Shemroske, Booklist [A]n excellent introduction to philosophy. Every question in this book is one that you could discuss for hours ... [A] true wonder for the conversations it will foster between you and your child. -- Annie Farrell, Labyrinth Books [S]tunning works that will stir the imagination and peak the curiosity of young and old readers alike ... a marvel of art, story, and imagination. -- The Gazette (Iowa) A lovely and probing book for older readers unafraid to ponder deep questions of philosophy. --Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, in Youth Services Book Review The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. -- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review Questions Asked is extraordinarily profound and encourages readers to seek answers to their own questions. Perfectly complemented by the beautiful illustrations by Akin Duzakin, author Jostein Gaarder provides a deeply philosophical work that will resonate with readers both young and old. -- Kendal A Rautzhan I wonder, were these questions first asked by these authors? No, these questions have been asked for many, many years, from the day humans started living here. I even wonder, do only humans think about these questions, or do animals, too? My favorite question is, 'Do ghosts and angels exist?' And my answer is no because no one can prove that. At least, I think so. At the same time, I am afraid of darkness, too!! The illustrations are very good and blend with the reader's thoughts. The author did a great job of compiling all these questions. It is a great book-read and enjoy it. -- Roshini, age 9, in Kids Book Buzz [Jostein Gaarder] brings out the existentialist in even the youngest reader... A story about love, death, and many topics in between... provide[s] an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore their own feelings on these same subjects and the world around them. Quiet, respectful, and touching. -- Kirkus Reviews Moving and meditative . . . Anything's possible here. Give this eerily enchanting, one-of-a-kind collection to curious youngsters--and prepare for discussion. --Briana Shemroske, Booklist [A]n excellent introduction to philosophy. Every question in this book is one that you could discuss for hours ... [A] true wonder for the conversations it will foster between you and your child. -- Annie Farrell, Labyrinth Books [S]tunning works that will stir the imagination and peak the curiosity of young and old readers alike ... a marvel of art, story, and imagination. -- The Gazette (Iowa) A lovely and probing book for older readers unafraid to ponder deep questions of philosophy. --Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, in Youth Services Book Review The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. -- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review Questions Asked is extraordinarily profound and encourages readers to seek answers to their own questions. Perfectly complemented by the beautiful illustrations by Akin Duzakin, author Jostein Gaarder provides a deeply philosophical work that will resonate with readers both young and old. -- Kendal A Rautzhan I wonder, were these questions first asked by these authors? No, these questions have been asked for many, many years, from the day humans started living here. I even wonder, do only humans think about these questions, or do animals, too? My favorite question is, 'Do ghosts and angels exist?' And my answer is no because no one can prove that. At least, I think so. At the same time, I am afraid of darkness, too!! The illustrations are very good and blend with the reader's thoughts. The author did a great job of compiling all these questions. It is a great book-read and enjoy it. -- Roshini, age 9, in Kids Book Buzz -[Jostein Gaarder] brings out the existentialist in even the youngest reader... A story about love, death, and many topics in between... provide[s] an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore their own feelings on these same subjects and the world around them. Quiet, respectful, and touching.- -- Kirkus Reviews -The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection.- -- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. -- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review -- Praise for Sophie's World -- A marvellously rich book. Its success boils down to something quite simple - Gaarder's gift for communicating ideas. --The Guardian Challenging, informative and packed with easily grasped, and imitable, ways of thinking about difficult ideas. --Independent Remarkable...what Jostein Gaarder has managed to do is condense 3000 years of thought into 400 pages; to simplify some extremely complicated arguments without trivialising them...an extraordinary achievement. --Sunday Times A whimsical and ingenious mystery novel that also happens to be a history of philosophy... What is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons. --Washington Post This book had me hooked from the very first page. I loved how the casual illustrations and seemingly random questions were able to tell such a deep and heartbreaking story, and I loved how this book showed confidence in children's capacity to understand the world around them and think deeply. I adored the illustrations, and the questions left me thinking a long time after I'd put the book down. 5/5 -- Silke Wadskaer Molgaard, Silkreads Wonderful... This book is a kid's perfect philosophical companion. In it one experiences the joy of thinking and the growth of wisdom, imagination, and human values. -- Literatur Magazin Gaarder and Duzakin prove themselves to be an evenly matched pair. Both of them succeed in opening spaces for thought and associations; both of them prompt us, with this clever, poetic, and lightly melancholic book, to find our own answers to existential questions. -- Deutschlandradio The text and pictures are inseparable. Unless you want to miss the story completely, you cannot skip one or the other. It is beautiful. -- Pages d'encre Akin Duzakin plays with our feelings and thoughts, obliging us to question ourselves, to reflect not only on the story of the boy in his illustrations, but - almost in spite of us - on our own story, too... You should read the text and pictures separately, at first, then together, then start over again and again to grasp the incredible force of this book and to savor every one of its subtleties. -- Ricochet-Jeunes Philosophical themes intertwine in this illustrated story that speaks to us of friendship, being, love, the unknown, fear, and the courage we need to live our own lives and know what and who we really are. -- El Mar de tinta A book that fosters commonality and that brings us closer together. -- Luxemburger Wort This is not a book for young children but maybe for graduating high schoolers or religion or philosophy classes. Or a teacher might use it with younger students to evoke discussion, as the questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review -- Praise for Sophie's World -- A marvellously rich book. Its success boils down to something quite simple - Gaarder's gift for communicating ideas. --The Guardian Challenging, informative and packed with easily grasped, and imitable, ways of thinking about difficult ideas. --Independent Remarkable...what Jostein Gaarder has managed to do is condense 3000 years of thought into 400 pages; to simplify some extremely complicated arguments without trivialising them...an extraordinary achievement. --Sunday Times A whimsical and ingenious mystery novel that also happens to be a history of philosophy... What is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons. --Washington Post -- Praise for Sophie's World -- A marvellously rich book. Its success boils down to something quite simple - Gaarder's gift for communicating ideas. -- The Guardian Challenging, informative and packed with easily grasped, and imitable, ways of thinking about difficult ideas. -- Independent Remarkable...what Jostein Gaarder has managed to do is condense 3000 years of thought into 400 pages; to simplify some extremely complicated arguments without trivialising them...an extraordinary achievement. -- Sunday Times A whimsical and ingenious mystery novel that also happens to be a history of philosophy... What is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons. -- Washington Post

[Jostein Gaarder] brings out the existentialist in even the youngest reader... A story about love, death, and many topics in between... provide[s] an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore their own feelings on these same subjects and the world around them. Quiet, respectful, and touching. -- Kirkus Reviews <p/> Moving and meditative . . . Anything's possible here. Give this eerily enchanting, one-of-a-kind collection to curious youngsters--and prepare for discussion. --Briana Shemroske, Booklist [S]tunning works that will stir the imagination and peak the curiosity of young and old readers alike ... a marvel of art, story, and imagination. -- The Gazette (Iowa) <p/> A lovely and probing book for older readers unafraid to ponder deep questions of philosophy. --Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, in Youth Services Book Review <p/> The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. -- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review <p/> Questions Asked is extraordinarily profound and encourages readers to seek answers to their own questions. Perfectly complemented by the beautiful illustrations by Akin Duzakin, author Jostein Gaarder provides a deeply philosophical work that will resonate with readers both young and old. -- Kendal A Rautzhan

-- Praise for Sophie's World -- A marvellously rich book. Its success boils down to something quite simple - Gaarder's gift for communicating ideas. -- The Guardian Challenging, informative and packed with easily grasped, and imitable, ways of thinking about difficult ideas. -- Independent Remarkable...what Jostein Gaarder has managed to do is condense 3000 years of thought into 400 pages; to simplify some extremely complicated arguments without trivialising them...an extraordinary achievement. -- Sunday Times A whimsical and ingenious mystery novel that also happens to be a history of philosophy... What is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons. -- Washington Post

[Jostein Gaarder] brings out the existentialist in even the youngest reader... A story about love, death, and many topics in between... provide[s] an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore their own feelings on these same subjects and the world around them. Quiet, respectful, and touching. <i><b>-- Kirkus Reviews</b></i> The questions are certainly provocative, begging for reflection. <b>-- Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, <i>Youth Services Book Review</i></b>

Author Information

.JOSTEIN GAARDER is a Norwegian intellectual and the author of several novels, short stories and children's books. Gaarder often writes from the perspective of children, exploring their sense of wonder about the world. His best known work is the novel Sophie's World- A Novel About the History of Philosophy (1991). It has been translated into 60 languages; over 40 million copies have been sold. .DON BARTLETT has translated novels by many Danish and Norwegian authors, among them Pet Petterson, Roy Jacobsen, Ida Jessen, and Jo Nesbo. He is the translator of Karl Ove Knausgaard's New York Times bestselling MY STRUGGLE series.

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