The Orange Girl

"Imagine that you were on the threshold of this fairytale, sometime billions of years ago when everything was created. And you were able to choose whether you wanted to be born to a life on this planet at some point. You wouldn't know when you were going to be born, nor how long you'd live for, but at any event it wouldn't be more than a few years. All you'd know was that, if you chose to come into the world at some point, you'd also have to leave it again one day and go away from everything. This might cause you a good deal of grief, as lots of people think that life in the great fairytale is so wonderful that the mere thought of it ending can bring tears to their eyes. Things can be so nice here that it's terribly painful to think that at some point the days will run out. What would you have chosen, if there had been some higher power that had gave you the choice? Perhaps we can imagine some sort of cosmic fairy in this great, strange fairytale. What you have chosen to live a life on earth at some point, whether short or long, in a hundred thousand or a hundred million years? Or would you have refused to join in the game because you didn't like the rules? (...) I asked myself the same question maybe times during the past few weeks. Would I have elected to live a life on earth in the firm knowledge that I'd suddenly be torn away from it, and perhaps in the middle of intoxicating happiness? (...) Well, I wasn't sure what I would have chosen. (...) If I'd chosen never to the foot inside the great fairytale, I'd never have known what I've lost. Do you see what I'm getting at? Sometimes it's worse for us human beings to lose something dear to us than never to have had it at all."

Wonderful book!

It is amazing how much money goes into making a movie when you can have so much more by just reading a book. This is an easy read and yet deep in places. Not profound but perfect for when we're not in the mood for something heavy. I'll not give anything away, I'll just say that I'll be reading more from Jostein Gaarder.

I wish more people knew about this book. It's a simple, sweet little story told in a clear conversational tone that sucks you in. My adolescent daughter isn't a big reader, but she got swept up in the story and read half of it in one sitting. There a moments of real truth, poignant scenes that are somehow both existential and life-affirming. There are no complex intricacies of plot here, no fancy devices, just a straightforward story about life and love. Read it. Give it as a gift.

I only bought this online because I'd borrowed a copy from someone else and lost it so had to replace it. I would never have bought this book otherwise as I really just prefer to borrow books and return them as I'm tired of the space they take up. While the story is interesting and good you can guess who the orange girl is about half way through and the whole thing ends up being a tear jerker of a story. If you want a good cry, this is it. Order Kleenex when you order this book and you'll be fine.

This is a nice, short love story filled with an interesting little mystery and some deep sorrow. Though I feel this book is good for everyone, I think it is still somewhat of a 'chick book' and probably more movingly visceral for people with children. The question the book poses is good, but I think the answer is somewhat obvious.

Very good read.One star less, because it's not as good as the writers other famous book. However, it is still very good. Amazon asked me if this did meet my expectations. Of course it did.

A beautiful love story of told to a son after his father's death. Spellbinding and philosophical. Thought provoking and causes one to wonder about our own existence.

By far, the best book I've ever read! I got it as a gift and bought it myself for two of my friends. I've read other books for Jostein Gaarder (Sophie's World, The Christmas Mystery, The Solitaire Mystery) and this one is definitely a winner! It keeps you hooked right until the very end. You might close the book with tears in your eyes but an overwhelming feeling of contentment. This book should be read by all people who believe that our lives are a series of magical events.

A very charming read with thought provoking elements.

I really admire Jostein Gaarder; He has such a unique and good way of seeing the world, and of course the special ability to write it.This is another great story, not trying to be clever with an unexpected 'twist' at the end, but still enticing. I wanted to know what happens. I think I am quite fond of Jan Olaf and the Orange girl.

Once again I really enjoyed Jostein Gaarder's writing. He leads us a merry dance and I found it very moving.Who was the Ornage Girl and where is she now ? The boy's memory of specific things is nudged and it helps him find out a bit more about himself too - a sort of coming of age idea. At the end one feels he can now go out and start his own life.

I've read the story before, but will read it again, when it arrives.