Rating: 
Summary: The Solitaire Mystery
Review: I consider The Solitaire Mystery a beautiful secret that avid readers are not aware of. It is satisfying, heart-warming literature.
This is a book for people who are not satisfied with modern writing that is hollow and formulaic. It is engrossed in similes and metaphors. It also incorporates a lot of philosophical ideas (some of which are reminiscent of Sophie's World.)
The novel interlocks two different stories - one from the present and one from the past - to illustrate the circularity of life. The premise of the present story is about the journey of a man and his son across Europe to search for his wife. The subtitle accurately describes the book - it is about family.
I highly recommend this novel to people of all ages. It is extremely thought-provoking and simply wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: Look at life in a whole new fashion
Review: The Solitaire Mystery, while written in the vein of fantastical young adult literature, transcends any particular genre or age group. Gaarder incorporates his philosophy expertise into this ingeniously crafted tale that sparks the imagination and galvanizes the spirit. As we follow a truly singular dichotomy of tales -- one in the real world and one in a magical world of Rainbow Soda and a living and breathing deck of cards.
One cannot truly do justice to this incredible tome in an abbreviated book review other than by simply exhorting others to read it and discover the magic for oneself. Valuable life lessons and refreshing new outlooks on life are yours for the asking...errr, I mean reading.
"The only thing I know is that I know nothing."
- Socrates (as quoted by Gaarder)
Rating:
Summary: The best philosophy lesson ever!!!
Review: I have read many of Gaarder's books, and so far this is my favourite (and not just his but by any author). Compared to Sophie's world, which has a sort of text book feel to it, this book has a plot and is truly captivating...till the very end (as is all Gaarder's books). I especially like the discussions between the boy and his father. Also the 'solitaire calender'. And how all the characters are so tangled up. This book will definitely get you thinking about life, in a way you have never done. Enjoy!!
Rating:
Summary: Post-modern fairytale
Review: The Solitaire Mystery follows a young boy, Hans Thomas, and his father on their way to find their runaway mother. Along the way, they encounter various people, each connected by a strange world long ago, leading ultimately to the unraveling of the mysterious pasts of Hans and his family.The Solitaire Mystery explores the strange world of coincidences and determinism. It dabbles in the philosophy of consciousness, reminding one of Descartes's elegant statement, "Cogito ergo sum," except declared this time by a pack of living playing cards. While definitely surreal, Gaarder touches questions intrinsic in every culture in the world. The only problem I had with this book was its story-within-story format. This made it somewhat difficult to follow, as it reached the point when Hans was reading a book about someone telling someone else a story told to him by another person. However, despite the heady material The Solitaire Mystery utilizes, it still reads as light and whimsical. This is a fairytale a la Alice-in-Wonderland, but at the same time, deep and profound.
Rating:
Summary: The Modern Family Fable.
Review: Bottom Line: read it. To yourself, to your kids, to your friends, to your dog, to anyone who will listen. Let the fairy to of a boy searching for life in a unique story put a sparkle of curiosity in your eye. Absolutely enjoyable and lovely.
| 
