My favorite fictional names
I have three favorite fictional names. The first, Candide; the second from the same work, Mr. Pangloss, probably the ideal name for an incurable optimist.
My third favorite name is from a 1960s Richard Brautigan novel: Trout Fishing. One of the reasons I love this name is that the book is titled "Trout Fishing in America". After it was published Brautigan received an invitation to speak at a convention of fly fishermen. He had to explain that his book had nothing to do with trout fishing as such at all.
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About Morgan
Born in LA, I have lived in Chicago and New York and traveled much of the country, but in this my 63d year I find myself more than ever "western born, western bred and when I die I'll be western dead". I live for open spaces and clear mountain...
Candide, indeed!
I got a laugh out of your post, as Candide, by Voltaire is a novel that I teach every fall to my freshmen college students. When there was discussion amongst the faculty, as to whether or not to cut it from the list, I voted no!
My students, who are mostly either film or art students, love the book, and see it as being very current, almost like a satirical graphic novel!
Yes Indeed Candide
Candide is always current, and being comparatively short not a hard book to ask students to read, even in today's e-dominated culture. Kris Kristofferson even gave Voltaire a nod with his song "Best of All Possible Worlds" on his first album.
And three cheers for keeping it on the reading list!
I probably also should have mentioned that after Brautigan told the fly fishing convention organizers the truth about his book the invitation was withdrawn.