Let us cultivate our garden

I just read Candide (don’t ask why). Voltaire’s novella was first published in 1759 and it’s one of those books that I think I’ve read but I really haven’t. I have that experience particularly with classics that were taught when I was in high school. For instance, my book club read Percival Everett’s best-seller James, which is a re-telling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which I was sure I’d read but, afterwards, I realized I had not. I knew a lot of the story, but never actually read the book.  

Anyway, this is certainly the first time I’ve read Candide. I think the timing was just right. I enjoyed it. You might too, either to re-read or a first read, so I won’t go into the story, but it famously ends with the line, “…but let us cultivate our garden.”

After this election season, I am disappointed and exhausted. Seems to me that half the country is the former, and the whole country is the latter. Candide is a satire and, let me tell you, it is about travails! …and optimism. …and realism. …and us. Us human people. Us.   

And right now, let us cultivate our garden.

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11/11/2024