Finished: Candide (Voltaire). A quick, "ok" read...not as good as the musical. :-) I think I have two problems. One, I really love musicals and I loved Candide...especially since my brother played Candide! Two...I think I've figured out that I'm not a huge fan of satire UNLESS I totally understand and sympathize with what's being satirized. I think the subject material has to be close to my heart or something that's going on in my life or my era for me to enjoy. There were so many notes in this version of Candide to flip to the back and read. When I did...I could see how this must have been a brilliant, scandalous satire on French life, politics, religion, and more broadly then, on the outlook of life and on the world in general. That time period is just not one I can really relate to in great detail, so the wit falls a bit short with me. I enjoyed finally reading the book though. Voltaire wasn't subtle in his criticisms of various other writers from his time and before, and he definitely moves at quite a brisk and blunt pace through all kinds of tragedies. I guess he's got to smack both the reader and his hero in the face with the fact that all is not always the best, as Pangloss would have us believe.

My brother was the perfect Candide in 1985 at the age of 25...with the lovely voice to match. I was so blessed to see him perform that role! That was at a regional theater in NY. Then, less than ten years later, he played Pangloss in a Philly production. I would have loved to see that as well. I'm sure he enjoyed playing both characters. Candide will always hold a special place in my heart for him alone. :-)