Candide will occupy the members of our Contemporary Issues “Adult Ed.” reading group when they meet Saturday, December 4 at the Elk Grove Panera on Biesterfield Road at 9:30 a.m.

Everyone is welcome, whether you have participated previously or even if you have not yet read the book.

Some members may find Voltaire’s writing a bit challenging, especially his references to places, people, and issues that are now largely forgotten.

I have two hints:

1. Don’t worry about following all the details, and if you feel that the story is getting bogged down and repetitious here and there, you’re probably not alone. It is important that you try to get to the last two or three chapters, even if it means skipping afew in the middle.

2. Think about the problem of evil: Why, if God is good, is there so much evil in the world? Can you explain it? Can anyone in the story?

I have created a “cheatsheet” of textual notes and references; see my Adult Education Program page at http://www.swhi.net/
~steveg/StNick/

and scroll down to the link for “Notes for reading Candide.” It may help.