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blanquiblue2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Candide endures homelessness, witnesses the atrocities of war, observes the deadly effects of syphilis, and sees men drowning at sea, auto-da-fé hangings, theft, massacres, and disembowelments. Contrastingly, he encounters the riches of Eldorado, a place where mud consists of gold, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Despite the extreme kindness of the people and the absence of courts of justice and prisons, Candide grows extremely bored and decides to leave. Throughout his journey, Candide encounters individuals who have lost everything they once had or who possess abundance yet fail to appreciate it.
I enjoyed every aspect of reading this book; it had me chuckling at the comical contrasts Voltaire drew between Candide's constant and abstract philosophizing and the harsh realities he encountered. The writing is beautifully crafted and effortlessly draws the reader in, thanks to its episodic nature that maintains a brisk pace. I was particularly impressed by Voltaire's ability to write dynamically and profoundly, covering a wide array of essential topics about humanity and the world. Like many classics, Voltaire's Candide possesses a timeless quality and a remarkable ability to resonate profoundly with each successive generation of readers who encounter it.
*derived from the greek pan, meaning "all", and glossa, meaning "tongue", suggesting talk with no substance
Graphic: Cannibalism, Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Gore, Death, Rape, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, and Torture
buildingtaste's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Body horror, Cultural appropriation, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, War, Colonisation, Classism, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Trafficking, Violence, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Torture, Antisemitism, Blood, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Islamophobia
Not sure I covered all the things that go down in this book, pretty much every chapter has some absolutely abysmal content.afofie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and War
jana16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
ohelloandi's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Rape, Racism, and Sexual content