Chapter 17, the Baroque Summary

Sophie tells her mother that she took the dog home and met a physics professor, who told her about the discovery of the geometry of the Solar System. Sophie becomes upset when she hears of the killing of a Norwegian UN soldier in Lebanon on the television. Sophie tells her mother a little about Alberto and the dog Hermes, while omitting some details. Sophie says Alberto's brother is a Norwegian Major, who is posted in Lebanon with the UN. Sophie's mother decides she wants to meet Alberto, the philosopher. She and Sophie plan to invite him to Sophie's birthday party.

Later in the week, Sophie is in school, where her teacher wants to know how she is learning so much. Sophie finds another postcard from the Major in her exercise book and learns that the Major is saddened because...