3.35k reviews for:

Candide

Voltaire

3.56 AVERAGE

Loveable characters: No
challenging informative reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
funny informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What reason did Voltaire have to be this funny

“Fools admire everything in a celebrated author. I read only for myself, and I like only what suits me personally.”

M. Candide is a naive man who ventures on an epic journey to find a girl. He meets many people along the way and pays the price for his naïveté. This story ponders the meaning of life. There is found family. It points out the absurdity of the evils committed in the name of religion. It has funny spots.

good message or whatever
adventurous funny reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

maybe my expectations were too high …or maybe it’s the fact that this is a work of translation so the oscar wilde-esque critique i wanted was a bit blunted. i think the sheer number of footnotes also wasn’t super conducive to a holistic entertaining reading experience? or maybe ill come back to it later and find more enjoyment and food for thought upon reread…

If you enjoy Douglas Adams and Jonathan Swift's wit and satire, Candide will be right up your ally. It's a very short read, but full of interesting observations and ridiculous situations.

Great classical read!