Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Candide

Voltaire's work unfolds with a darkly humorous tone, presenting an episodic novella that traces the escapades of Candide, the central character from whom the novel derives its title. Born into an aristocratic German family, Candide spends his initial years in a Westphalian palace. In this opulent setting, he resides alongside his uncle, the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh, as well as the Baron's wife, son, and daughter Cunégonde. Candide's education is overseen by Pangloss*, a philosopher whose beliefs align with the optimism prevalent in the philosophical discourse of Voltaire's time, akin to Leibniz and other thinkers. Pangloss asserts that we inhabit the best of all possible worlds, where every occurrence, whether tragic or not, serves a greater purpose. Candide, deeply influenced by Pangloss, internalizes these teachings. However, his idealized world is shattered when he is expelled from the palace after the Baron discovers him and Cunégonde sharing a kiss. This expulsion marks the beginning of Candide's journey, during which he confronts the harsh and often brutal realities of the world, prompting him to question the optimistic doctrines instilled by Pangloss.

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.

Suffering permeates every stage of the book, yet, despite his questioning, Candide remains determined to avoid pessimism and adhere to the optimism instilled by his childhood tutor. Voltaire doesn't offer a concrete solution to Candide's queries but instead implies that he should cease overthinking and find joy in simple pleasures—such as savouring lemon sherbet, drinking beverages flavoured with candied lemon peel, enjoying oranges and pistachios, and engaging in gardening.

While Voltaire satirizes Pangloss's optimism by punctuating the book with grim scenes that refute the notion of living in the best of all worlds, he doesn't advocate for pessimism either. When Candide reunites with Cunegonde, who he last saw at the palace of their upbringing, she is accompanied by an old maid recounting a series of tragedies, culminating in the claim that her butcheek was cut off to feed Turkish guards on an island where she was imprisoned. However, even as she narrates this horrifying experience, she asserts, "A hundred times I wanted to kill myself, but always I loved life more." Therefore, Voltaire suggests that while we shouldn't deceive ourselves with the absurd optimism prevailing in his time, adopting pessimism is not the answer either. Despite enduring numerous tragedies, most people still desire to live and love life.

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

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