#also there's a talking dog and a random car crash and also fairy tale people appear

[always-a-joyful-note]

A book rec perhaps?

I don't know...but to the ORV fandom and those who like books and media with heavy meta themes and philosophical musings, I recommend Sophie's World.

What is that you ask?

Well, my friends...it's a book by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder (I read the translated to English version, of course) that follows a 14 yr old girl named Sophie as she randomly starts receiving letters in a philosophy course and finds herself semi-adopted as a student under an old philosopher.

The book gives Sophie and the readers a sort of intro course into western philosophy and worldviews from Biblical mythos to Plato to the scientific eras whilst also incorporating a seriously wild metafictional plot that explores the relationship of fiction to the real world.

I can't say much without giving spoilers but the book is WILD and absurd in ways that will eventually make sense(ish). It makes you really think about the things that can be done with writing and the awareness that knowing philosophies/worldviews/etc. can bring into a "created" being.

It's been a hot while (years, I think) since I've read the book but I was suddenly reminded of it randomly (don't know how) and thought, "Huh. I think ORV fans who enjoyed the meta of the story and some of the philosophies it introduced would like this!"

In short, if you like takes on the relations of fiction to the real world and Thought(tm) that relies on Weird Twists, as well as a cleverly and easy to follow introduction to western philosophy/worldview, not to mention a pretty engaging plot with fascinating characters you will want to study under a microscope....Sophie's World does it really well.

Content warning? Like I said, it's been a few years since I read it, and nothing in particular struck younger me as problematic enough to remember. The book was written in 1991, so there could be some slight sexism (don't quote me on that). It also deals with a buuuunch of philosophies that discuss heavy themes and I recall references to sex and some slight psychological twistiness, but I think it's safe to rate it as PG-13. (If anyone who has read the book recently and knows better please feel free to add/correct any discrepancies in my recommendation)

#the best part is that because of the heavy philosophies i don't think there's any romance #anyway back on my incoherent reviewing because why not #j also think the metas of bungo stray dogs enjoyers would like this book #it def was one of the 'critically acclaimed modern books' that didnt make me want to violently shake the present for being so weird #(im rather picky when it comes to modern classics excuse the salt) #also there's a talking dog and a random car crash and also fairy tale people appear #which is spoilers but also not #you know thinking about this also makes me think of the half upon a time trilogy too #also an excellent read if you like a focus on fairy tales and idiot conniving protags and time nonsense #anyway apologies for putting it on the orv tags #fandom spamdom #orv #omniscient reader's viewpoint #note's nonsense #sophie's world #my brain making connections where there are little but i cant be the only one to have made this link right?