Candy by Terry Southern, Mason Hoffenberg Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Candy
Book Review: satire? what satire?
Summary: 3 Stars
I think the only real ironic thing about this famous Terry Southern book from the fifties is just how much time has changed. What seemed dirty and perverted then seems tame and absurd now. While I enjoy Southern's quick jumpy narrative style, getting us from one strange situation to another, the main character (the oh-so-tragic Candy) is a non-entity in the fiction. Her character is the satire, I suppose. She seems to worried about the men who "need" her that she doesn't recognize when she's being abused. I'm not sure what the satire is there? The stupid self-image of females of the fifties, the male-monster driven by the libido, or both?
All in all, its worth a read and leaves you wondering what it was all about (much like many of Candy's sordid experiences).
Book Review: sick, yet gripping
Summary: 3 Stars
It has been over 35 years since I read this, but I do recall that once started, I couldn't put it down and even cut classes that a.m. to finish it. I recall also that my eyes were popping as I read of the increasingly weird adventures of this girl who back then seemed utterly stupid and unbelievable. Today, I'm not so sure what message I would receive from Candy - - will have to try a re-read. I also remember feeling physically ill after finishing it and skipped lunch too that day.