May / France Reading Poll

[Virgil]

Well, there's a chance for all the books. I'm just leaning toward the three I mentioned.

You're so hard to get.

[Dori]

Candide has the advantage that I just bought a hardcover copy not too long ago, and I've never read it (!). I should have, but have to be truthful. I haven't.

But, to be fair, the other two sound interesting as well.

Does this convince you?

Candide, ou l'Optimisme (1759) is a French satire by the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, the title of which has been translated into English as Candide: Or, All for the Best (1759); Candide: Or, The Optimist (1762); and Candide: Or, Optimism (1947). This novella tells the tale of a young man, Candide (meaning "ingenuous"), who has been indoctrinated with Leibnizian optimism but becomes disillusioned after witnessing and experiencing many great hardships. With a plot similar to that of a more serious picaresque novel or bildungsroman, Candide parodies many adventure and romance clichés, and the plights of the characters are described in a tone which is mordantly matter-of-fact. Through the allegory of Candide, Voltaire pokes fun at religion and theologians, governments and armies, philosophies and philosophers; most visibly, Voltaire rails against Leibniz and his Optimism.

Candide, Voltaire's magnum opus, is a literary work which, for its biting wit and insightful portrayal of the human condition, has often been mimicked by later authors and adapted for the stage (the most notable of which is Leonard Bernstein's 1956 comic operetta). For these qualities, Candide is often listed as part of the Western canon and is taught perhaps more than any other work of French literature. As expected by Voltaire, Candide has enjoyed both great success and great scandal. Immediately after its secretive publication, the book was condemned by authorities and banned numerous times because of its religious blasphemy, political treason and academic hostility hidden under a thin veil of naïveté. (Wikipedia)

[manolia]

I can't decide

[Dori]

The choice is easy. Just do as Niamh, Pseudōnumos, thelastmelon, and myself. Vote for Candide!

[Dori]

If not Candide, then go with Hunchback. It is a very good book (my second favorite).

[Etienne]

The only one I've read is Madame Bovary, Dori, and I loved that one. I'm looking forward to reading most of the others.

Candide is in the lead!

Haven't you considered Gargantua and Pantagruel?

[Scheherazade]

All we need is one more vote for Papillon!

[Dori]

For a tie...

[Weisinheimer]

I decided on Papillon...now it's a tie.

[Quark]

I'm really divided on this one. I've wanted to reread The Red and the Black for some time, but we might lose people with that book since it's quite long and dry. I have some interest in Papillon, but I don't know if I could keep up in a discussion where I haven't already read the book. The Wall would be a fun discussion, but I think I would rather read Stendhal. I'm torn between these three. Can I cast my vote in thirds? That would make it easier for me. Otherwise, I'm going to have think about it.

[Scheherazade]

I decided on Papillon...now it's a tie.

Three cheers for Weisinheimer!

I have some interest in Papillon, but I don't know if I could keep up in a discussion where I haven't already read the book.

Discussing a book while reading it is a lot of fun. Most of us here do that almost every month. And it is an extra incentive to try to keep us with others

[Quark]

Discussing a book while reading it is a lot of fun.

Oh, no doubt. I do it myself in Lawrence, Chekhov, and Nietzsche threads. Those three, however, are enough to keep me busy, and I'm not looking to add another book. If work is slow, it might free me up so I can read Papillon, but right now I'm leaning towards one that I've already read.

[DapperDrake]

I know I can't vote yet (this being my first post) but I have both Candide and the Hunchback of notre-dame in my bookcase unread and I'd love to be able to read and talk though one of those.

[Drkshadow03]

Come on people! Only four more votes for Madame Bovary and we can get back in this!

Heh. I wouldn't mind re-reading Candide though. It's nice and short and a great piece of satire.

[Dori]

Yay! Antiquariuan voted for Candide and broke the tie! I'm happy now.