The Castle in the Pyrenees

A novel in epistolary form, this book chronicles the exchange of emails between two Norwegian, now-married individuals who were once adventurous students and ex-lovers. Years run their course and change the lives of these two people, until by chance or fate (that is one of the questions the book tackles) - they meet again. Was their meeting pure chance, or the will of destiny? This and other questions relating to life, the beginning of the Universe, existence, climate change, the existence of God, love, loss, and death are all examined, and talked about at length through the exchange of emails.

A thoughtful read, like most of other Gaarder's work, will make you get out the pencil every now and then because there are some beautiful ideas and expressions you will want to remember.