I'm looking for a book with quite specific set of characteristics:
1) I want something philosophical (not necessarily connected to the doctrine of some old french guy, rather just thought provoking)
2) straightforward, not metaphorical, not "you'll only get it after reading 20 other classical books". I mean something you don't need to interpret and guess what was the writers intention, you can just follow events and character's thoughts, and analyze them just as they are
3) interactions between characters (not necessarily dialogues, but i don't want a single guy sitting in a room and thinking) (also, interactions between people cause interactions between their opinion, personal philosophies)
*4) not obligatory, but i love it when characters are intellectual workers (or students planning to become ones)
*5) not obligatory, but i'd love to read something written by a woman or including women as major characters with actual impact and personality
I'll be grateful for any suggestions
by fushikushi