American Candide Paperback – April 15, 2016

I re-read Voltaire's Candide the day before I read this, and I'm glad that I did. It helped me to even better appreciate what Singh was doing in his book. It follows the structure (down to the number of chapters) and general outline of the original, while updating the characters and situations for the 21st century. This is a clever and entertaining book, with some parts that made me laugh out loud. One of Singh's surreal drawings introduces each chapter. As in Voltaire's Candide, although this book is entertaining it also makes some very serious points about the disturbing aspects of our society. Highly recommended.

I read this without being very familiar with Candide, so I know I was missing a lot, but the satirization of various American stereotypes felt spot-on. That uncomfortable kind of funny that is the entire point of satire. And I mean, come on, that cover image alone?

A very funny take on a classic, with witty illustrations full of allusion.

Should be required reading for America.

Mahendra Singh's brilliant and perverse update of Candide's blistering satire of optimism and the upbeat labeling of human misery. Many shameful guffaws reading it.Not only is Mahendra Singh one of the world's wittiest and driest of satirists, he is also one of the world's greatest illustrators. If you are a fan of satire, Mahendra Singh has arrived as our new Voltaire. Highly recommended for those who love beautiful writing, beautiful illustrations, and brilliant, outrageous satire of mankind.

Probably the best book about Freedonia's* mores and values since Barnum's "Autobiography" (the first edition, not the wimpy later one).*It's not really about Freedonia.

Extremely original, insightful, satirical, and funny as hell!