'Moby Dick' Update: True Life Horror That Inspired 'Moby Dick'

Thanks to fellow Eternal Poet, Wade Klassen, for alerting me to this video and article from the Smithsonian about the history of Moby Dick.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-true-life-horror-that-inspired-moby-dick-17576/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialmedia#ooid=12ZGxpeTpCzfLFiOoOFkV5eF9iLVu4Lu

 

Novel 5: "Candide" by Voltaire (90.5 points)

I just finished Voltaire's Candide, and it was a surprisingly easy read.  I feared that it might be heavy and dry when my friend suggested we read it for our next Eternal Poet's meeting this December, but I jumped at the chance to dig into the novel. 

The general message of Candide is to be cautious of simplistic and overly optimistic views of the world, especially when those views support, or allow, or gloss over (or Pangloss over!) pain and suffering.  Religion and governments and philosophical systems seem to be the major perpetrators of such views in Candide and Voltaire skewers them all in turn.  The climax of the novel is the last line where Candide, now mature and wise to the world, endeavors to cultivate his garden.  After all his adventures Candide doesn't simply just accept life as it is, that is passively, but rather seeks to make life how it ought to be, by tending to his garden.

A few personal notes that I found interesting: 1) Canada gets mentioned, but is dismissed as a 'few acres of snow'.  In typical Canadian fashion I was thrilled just to be noticed!  I had heard this quote of Voltaire's before, but it made more sense in context.  2) The discussion of slavery as 'the price of eating sweets in Europe' (or something to that effect) was a good reminder that we are not the first generation to think of 'fair-trade', or ethical eating.  Sometimes we get caught up in the eternal present and forget that other thinking, feeling beings have gone before us.  3) The comments about humans being 1/4 monkey pre-date Darwin and I found that interesting too.

A great little book and I recommend it.  Thanks Wade! 

Score: 90.5 points

Epic-ness: 22.5
- Who hasn't heard of Voltaire?  Glad I finally read him. 

Enjoyability: 23.5
- Surprisingly easy to read, understand, and follow.  I laughed out loud at times.

Exploration of the human condition: 22
- In the broadest sense Voltaire nails this by posing many questions about the state of the world, and asking why it is the way it is and why we tolerate it, but this novel isn't about deep character development at a more personal level.  Many questions are posed, but most are left unanswered.  You can only go so deep in a satire.

Eloquence: 22.5
- Simple in it's eloquence. Voltaire is a foil with his knowledge of literature and history and gracefully weaves them together with religion and philosophy throughout this novel.

A great little novel.  I recommend it for a quick read when you want something to sink you teeth into but don't have too much mental energy or time to invest.