Reviews - Candide ou l'optimisme

3.27k reviews for:

Candide ou l'optimisme

Voltaire

3.56 AVERAGE

eddy84p's review against another edition

5.0

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

willdanchico's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

thecauldronofbooks's review against another edition

4.5 ☆

8797999's review against another edition

4.0

I quite enjoyed this book, I would say it was amazing but a very solid and amusing book. To me reading it it reminded me a bit of Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene. Completely different books but felt similar to me, especially Candide and his various pairings to the Monsignor and Mayor.

A short book but does pack a lot in it and I would happily read it again.

ianca_rebel's review against another edition

5.0

Wow.... I must say I am really impressed by this book. My knowledge of Voltaire's work resumed to his fables, but having read "Candide, or Optimism", I admit I was an early judge of what this satire-philosophical book would be like. Completely dressed up in jokes, irony, and philosophical references and criticisms of others' thinkers' works, it was not easy to read, however having helpful notes in the back and foreword by Michael Wood helped me understand better its meaning. The story is described as a journey full of adventures that Candide is more or less forcefully embarked on, having a diverse range of companions with different characters on his way. The assumption of "all is well in this world, for this is the best of the worlds" is constantly ridiculed throughout the book, raising so many personal questions. What sense to make of all this, then? That we must "cultivate our garden". Read it, because for sure it will give you some perspectives on life!