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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I read this in high school and, while waiting for my library holds to come in, thought it would be a good, short read to revisit. And it was!
Definitely more interesting now as an adult, and specifically as an optimist who truly, genuinely believed in the general goodness of humanity all the way up until 2016, when that faith began to decline with the election of Trump and rapidly eroded as we saw the behavior of people during the pandemic.
The story of Candide, who is blindly optimistic under the tutelage of Pangloss, brought to mind the book Bright-Sided: How Optimistic Thinking is Undermining America by Barbara Ehrenreich - a good read for anyone interested in these themes.
While I still consider myself an optimist, or at least someone who is generally willing to atrribute to stupidity that which may first be ascribed to malice, I think a more tempered view of the reality that things DON'T always work out, and things AREN'T always for the best, and you CAN'T always depend on the kindess of strangers is the more pragmatic way to live.
In short, as a young teenager I thought this was a silly and outrageous story of travels and the ebbs and flows of good luck. The biggest thing I remembered going in to the reread was there was a woman with half a butt.
As an adult, I can appreciate the general theme that it's dumb to pretend life isn't hard and cruel at times, but it is still worthwhile to own as much as you can of your own fate, remain kind, and stay generous. Or at least that's my takeaway today, let's see what I think in another 25 years!
Definitely more interesting now as an adult, and specifically as an optimist who truly, genuinely believed in the general goodness of humanity all the way up until 2016, when that faith began to decline with the election of Trump and rapidly eroded as we saw the behavior of people during the pandemic.
The story of Candide, who is blindly optimistic under the tutelage of Pangloss, brought to mind the book Bright-Sided: How Optimistic Thinking is Undermining America by Barbara Ehrenreich - a good read for anyone interested in these themes.
While I still consider myself an optimist, or at least someone who is generally willing to atrribute to stupidity that which may first be ascribed to malice, I think a more tempered view of the reality that things DON'T always work out, and things AREN'T always for the best, and you CAN'T always depend on the kindess of strangers is the more pragmatic way to live.
In short, as a young teenager I thought this was a silly and outrageous story of travels and the ebbs and flows of good luck. The biggest thing I remembered going in to the reread was there was a woman with half a butt.
As an adult, I can appreciate the general theme that it's dumb to pretend life isn't hard and cruel at times, but it is still worthwhile to own as much as you can of your own fate, remain kind, and stay generous. Or at least that's my takeaway today, let's see what I think in another 25 years!
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A short read, this is a satirical novella about a sheltered man finding disillusionment in the world.
On the philosophical side, I really enjoyed the questions that this raises, especially because unwavering belief in a god and questioning the world around us are issues that are timeless and still apply today. Because this is so short, everything that happens contributes to Voltaire's argument, and makes a strong point to question the idea that this is "the best of all possible worlds."
On the other hand, I wasn't a fan of the actual story, despite it being relatively quick to move through. My enjoyment of the story came from discussion afterward, not from while I was reading it. I don't think it would have stuck as much with me had I not talked it over with others.
In summary, I recognize the impact this has made on literary history, and I appreciate the ideas it brings to the table, but as a work of literature, it wasn't exactly my taste.
On the philosophical side, I really enjoyed the questions that this raises, especially because unwavering belief in a god and questioning the world around us are issues that are timeless and still apply today. Because this is so short, everything that happens contributes to Voltaire's argument, and makes a strong point to question the idea that this is "the best of all possible worlds."
On the other hand, I wasn't a fan of the actual story, despite it being relatively quick to move through. My enjoyment of the story came from discussion afterward, not from while I was reading it. I don't think it would have stuck as much with me had I not talked it over with others.
In summary, I recognize the impact this has made on literary history, and I appreciate the ideas it brings to the table, but as a work of literature, it wasn't exactly my taste.
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I think it takes a lot of creativity to turn something written in 1759 into a comic. I also have always found Candide to be an amusing bit of literature.
It’s not every day I read a book that was published in the 1700s.
Credit where credit is due – most books this old are difficult to comprehend because of wide cultural/language differences. Not so with “Candide.” Language was no barrier since this is a modern English translation, and its themes are not culture-specific. In fact, I think they’re 100% universal. Who hasn’t grappled with slowly losing their naïve sense of optimism as the bleakness of the world threatens to turn them into a sad, cynical wreck?
Anyway… I found this book very funny. It is a dark satire, the object of which is to prove that we do not live in the best of all possible worlds (as our lead character stubbornly maintains). Throughout the story, the titular character Candide is banished, beaten, enslaved, robbed, cheated, and betrayed as he travels across the world seeking Lady Cunégonde, his true love. Along the way he meets many colorful characters with their own depressing tales of hardship and horror.
There is a reason why Voltaire is considered one of the great literary minds of his time. His observations on the failings of contemporary society and his forward-thinking political views were revolutionary, influencing the ideologies of some of the most powerful people in history (i.e. Napoleon and Catherine the Great). And this satirical novella may be his most famous work. I highly recommend it. 10/10.
Credit where credit is due – most books this old are difficult to comprehend because of wide cultural/language differences. Not so with “Candide.” Language was no barrier since this is a modern English translation, and its themes are not culture-specific. In fact, I think they’re 100% universal. Who hasn’t grappled with slowly losing their naïve sense of optimism as the bleakness of the world threatens to turn them into a sad, cynical wreck?
Anyway… I found this book very funny. It is a dark satire, the object of which is to prove that we do not live in the best of all possible worlds (as our lead character stubbornly maintains). Throughout the story, the titular character Candide is banished, beaten, enslaved, robbed, cheated, and betrayed as he travels across the world seeking Lady Cunégonde, his true love. Along the way he meets many colorful characters with their own depressing tales of hardship and horror.
Spoiler
In my favorite section of the story, Candide stumbles upon the fictional City of Gold, a true utopia where people want for nothing and coexist in peace and harmony. Ironically, Candide chooses to leave this wonderful place because he is convinced that only Cunégonde can bring him true happiness. If you’ve read this story, then you know how that decision works out for him…There is a reason why Voltaire is considered one of the great literary minds of his time. His observations on the failings of contemporary society and his forward-thinking political views were revolutionary, influencing the ideologies of some of the most powerful people in history (i.e. Napoleon and Catherine the Great). And this satirical novella may be his most famous work. I highly recommend it. 10/10.
Prolly important at the time, but real weird in the 21st century
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated