Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Our author for December is Francois-Marie Arouet (1694-1778)-otherwise known as Voltaire .
This prolific and controversial author was exiled to England for a time and later also spent time in Germany.
Who is in for this one?

I've read Candide three times and seen two different performances of the musical-and enjoyed the second one more, mainly because th performers understood their roles better.
So I'm reading some shorter pieces this time around.
If you enjoy reading letters, there are collections of his letters as well.
I find that his plays are his weakest genre.

I started on Candide and reading in French. I'll be reading it slowly since I'm new to the language and also because I want to understand what Voltaire was driving at. In my first read, I only caught his satire against various quarters, but I feel there is more to it than satire. Perhaps, it'll take me the whole month. :)

I think it will be easier as you progress through the book.

Rosemarie wrote: "I think it will be easier as you progress through the book."

I hope so too, Rosemarie. This time I'm taking down notes and writing down my impressions on each chapter. That way I'll be able to appreciate the work fully.

I might read his Letters on England as well. I saw the penguine kindle and will buy it.

Moi!

I read Candid some years back but I can remember the satire and that I really enjoyed the short read.

I agree Piyangie there are lessons to learn as well.

Leibniz is an easy target for satire, but he did invent some good biscuits.

Lesle wrote: "I read Candid some years back but I can remember the satire and that I really enjoyed the short read.

I agree Piyangie there are lessons to learn as well."

Agree, Lesle. Some books on which I've formed hasty opinions have surprised me when read again. I can say the same thing for Candide. I've completely misunderstood it. :) I'm proceeding slow, but I already see it differently this time. I think the translation also played a negative role. In its original language, I enjoy it more. I have two more books like this in my TBR to be revisited. Funnily, both are French!

I read half of Letters on England and am enjoying it. This is a younger Voltaire than who wrote Candide, but his satire is still marked.

It looks that Voltaire didn't agree with Liebniz's best of all possible worlds! :)

Indeed Piyangie. I think most people would agree that this world is not the best possible, but then it depends on the imagination of the individual to identify a better one.

I've just finished reading a very short pamphlet called De l'horrible danger de la lecture(The horrible danger of reading).
Reading is dangerous because it causes people to think! And a totalitarian state doesn't like that at all.

Sounds interesting, Rosemarie. I'll add it to my TBR. I'm really beginning to like this author. :)

Great news! I got Candide from Amazon for the bargain price of £0.76.

That indeed is a great bargain, Bernard! :)

You can't beat that price, Bernard.

I'm glad you're enjoying his work, Piyangie.

I finished Letters on England last night. It was an enjoyable read. Funny I say that of Voltaire's works now when at some point I thought I'll never read him. :) But obviously, I've misunderstood him. The introduction to this book shed a considerable light on Voltaire's life and philosophy which made it easier to understand and appreciate him. That'll help me with Candide as well. I'll share my review, which will state my full thoughts on the book, as soon as I write it.

That is one reason Piyangie that I like to have a background on the Author. Sometimes understanding a little of their life makes it easier to understand their writing.

The 18th century was called The Age of Enlightenment, The Age of Reason and in German Die Aufklärung.
The focus was on rational thought, scientific discovery and leaving all that mystical claptrap of the middle ages behind them.
By the end of the 18th century a group of young poets in various
European countries had enough and the Romantic movement began, preceded in Germany by Sturm und Drang, Storm and Stress. They wanted rapid change, inspired by the French Revolution which began in 1789.

Of course the Rationalist ideology reached its acme with Mister Spock.

Lesle wrote: "That is one reason Piyangie that I like to have a background on the Author. Sometimes understanding a little of their life makes it easier to understand their writing."

True, Lesle. It's very important to have the background knowledge of an author. I do that almost all the time now. So many classics have taught me the importance of research.

Rosemarie wrote: "The 18th century was called The Age of Enlightenment, The Age of Reason and in German Die Aufklärung.
The focus was on rational thought, scientific discovery and leaving all that mystical claptrap ..."

Thanks for the interesting explanation, Rosemarie.

You read my mind, Bernard!

Here is the link to my review of Letters on England as promised:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Anyone interested in the book and curious to know what I thought of it is quite welcome to read. :) But of course, it contains spoilers so if you are hoping to read it in near future, I advise you not to look through. :)

I've just finished Le Monde Comme Il Va: Vision de Babouc, which means the way of the world, another fun satire and a quick read. Persepolis represents Paris.

With due honour to Leibniz, "the best of all possible worlds" is such an absurd idea that satirising it is an easy task. But Voltaire does make an entertaining job of it.

Today I read a short story about two friends, Jeannot et Colin, one of which is ennobled and lives in Paris with his rich parents, and grows up to be a completely useless individual.
He ignores Colin, who stays behind in humble circumstances.
Fast forward 10-15 years: Jeannot's family goes broke. Guess who helps them. I enjoyed this one.

The other is a two page story, Les Deux Consolés, which was "Meh!"

I have only a couple of chapters to go in Candide and would finish it tonight. I'm surprised to find that a previous two-star read is about to reach a four! I guess reading it in french and the additional knowledge I gained of Voltaire's life and philosophy helped me to appreciate it better.

That's good to hear. Voltaire did not have a boring life.

If one could double the score on each re-read, that would be fantastic!

Yes, it is. But there's always the danger of the opposite. Four-star being reduced to two. :) I've experienced that too.

True, Rosemarie. He has had a very interesting life. If I can travel back in time, I'd like to have met him. :) :)

Piyangie wrote: "Yes, it is. But there's always the danger of the opposite. Four-star being reduced to two. :) I've experienced that too."

So have I.

Rising and falling scores are part of the re-reading process. But recycling is a major ethos of the modern world.

I read and finished Candide, and agree with Voltaire that we must cultivate our own gardens than be content with the thought that we live in the best of possible worlds. :)

In times like these, that philosophy is even more necessary.
Many people rediscovered the simple joys of gardening, baking and other hobbies since they needed to stay close to home.