Candide
Candide
Voltaire
Ryan Holiday
A light hearted satire that pokes fun at optimism, philosophy, politics, and power. - Ryan Holiday
James Clear
[One of] the 10 best fiction books. - James Clear
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2
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Candide

Candide

Voltaire
By
Voltaire
3.8
11941
ratings on Goodreads

In the whirlwind adventure that is Voltaire's "Candide," readers are whisked away on a journey that is as hilariously absurd as it is profoundly philosophical. The tale follows the young and naively optimistic Candide, who, despite being battered by the cruellest twists of fate, remains steadfast in his belief that he inhabits the best of all possible worlds. This belief, instilled in him by his mentor Dr. Pangloss, is challenged at every turn by the harsh realities of war, betrayal, love, and disaster. Through Candide's wide-eyed wanderings, Voltaire delivers a biting critique of the philosophical optimism of his time, cleverly disguised as a fast-paced, entertaining story that has enchanted readers for centuries. Voltaire masterfully crafts a narrative that is both a satirical masterpiece and a deeply moving inquiry into the human condition. As Candide travels from one misfortune to the next, encountering a cast of characters as varied and colorful as the lands he visits, his enduring optimism is both heartwarming and heartbreakingly naïve. "Candide" is a rich tapestry of themes—love, loss, human folly, and the relentless quest for happiness—woven together with wit, brilliance, and an unerring eye for the absurd. It is this blend of humor and wisdom that has secured "Candide" its place as one of the most revered works in Western literature, inviting readers to laugh, reflect, and perhaps reconsider the lens through which they view the world.

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Released
1759
1 Jan
Length
129
Pages

2

recommendations

recommendation

[One of] the 10 best fiction books. - James Clear
A light hearted satire that pokes fun at optimism, philosophy, politics, and power. - Ryan Holiday
I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid melancholy propensities, for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one’s very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?
— Voltaire, Candide

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