For all that these two complain about each other's sharp edges, I really think if they hadn't been there, some of the appeal would have been gone.
Entirely agree, though I admit I let my own bias colour my perception, because I found the Fritz-Voltaire letters far more interesting to read once he's King, they've met a couple of times and all the mutual "you're the greatest" subsides - though doesn't disappear - and gets intermingled with some needling and snarking. Mutual gushing isn't what I want out of Fritz/Voltaire. That's what other ships are there for.:)
Incidentally, that's why I was rolling my eyes when Bodanis in his summary of Voltaire's early visits to Prussia goes "all that Frederick had shown to Voltaire about himself was a lie" and how crushed about that Voltaire must have been because, nope, not the impression I got from reading the Pleschinski-translated letters. I mean, naturally there was some disillusionment re: philosopher king with peaceful intentions at that point, but I definitely thought Voltaire's interest in Fritz the person as opposed to Fritz the potential life long financial security and tool to change one realm for the better doubled. And I don't think he'd have written that mid Silesian war love declaration about being unable to live with Fritz or without him and how he's in love with Fritz' mind which never ceases to infuriate him to nice Crown Prince Fritz of the fan letters.
Re: Toppings of all types, continued
Entirely agree, though I admit I let my own bias colour my perception, because I found the Fritz-Voltaire letters far more interesting to read once he's King, they've met a couple of times and all the mutual "you're the greatest" subsides - though doesn't disappear - and gets intermingled with some needling and snarking. Mutual gushing isn't what I want out of Fritz/Voltaire. That's what other ships are there for.:)
Incidentally, that's why I was rolling my eyes when Bodanis in his summary of Voltaire's early visits to Prussia goes "all that Frederick had shown to Voltaire about himself was a lie" and how crushed about that Voltaire must have been because, nope, not the impression I got from reading the Pleschinski-translated letters. I mean, naturally there was some disillusionment re: philosopher king with peaceful intentions at that point, but I definitely thought Voltaire's interest in Fritz the person as opposed to Fritz the potential life long financial security and tool to change one realm for the better doubled. And I don't think he'd have written that mid Silesian war love declaration about being unable to live with Fritz or without him and how he's in love with Fritz' mind which never ceases to infuriate him to nice Crown Prince Fritz of the fan letters.