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I read excerpts from Voltaire's "Candide" in college, so I finally decided to read the entire thing. I actually found it much more enjoyable than I thought I would. The satire of a monk buying a prostitute and a philosopher theorizing that this is the best of all worlds was wonderfully executed. It was kind of like a very long set up for a corny joke.. I may read it again.
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★★★★☆
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"'Let us work and stop proving things,' said Martin, 'for that is the only way to make life bearable.'"
-Voltaire, "Candide, or Optimism"
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★★★★☆
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"'Let us work and stop proving things,' said Martin, 'for that is the only way to make life bearable.'"
-Voltaire, "Candide, or Optimism"
Young, innocent and naive Candide is unjustly thrown from his pampered life of luxury to wander the world learning what life is REALLY all about. He is abused, lied to, stollen from and physically beat. By the end of his trials (except for this 2 months in El Dorado), he learns that life is happiest if people are allowed to tend their own gardens, keep good company and enjoy contentment.
A clever tale punctuated with crass religious stereotypes.
Philosophers = bs ; doesn’t matter who. They all just talk in circles.
Foolish optimism is harmful
The rich tear themselves apart for a few moments of power (monarchy) and the poor pay for it.
People that just mind their own business tend to be happier.
Don’t fall in love with an idea or memory of someone. You will always be disappointed by what you find.
Lastly, Voltaire was one sassy lad. His writings are still very prevalent today. You have to look some things up while reading to get the joke, but it is rather humorous once you understand.
Foolish optimism is harmful
The rich tear themselves apart for a few moments of power (monarchy) and the poor pay for it.
People that just mind their own business tend to be happier.
Don’t fall in love with an idea or memory of someone. You will always be disappointed by what you find.
Lastly, Voltaire was one sassy lad. His writings are still very prevalent today. You have to look some things up while reading to get the joke, but it is rather humorous once you understand.
Quirky story, surprising for a 200 year old novel, with some rather dated and unpolitically correct language; but also some quite advanced scenarios. Read the John Butt translation in print and ebook version with introduction by Philip Littell - the former far superior!
You need a good background in history to appreciate the satire.
I became rather fixated on the crimson sheep from El Dorado, but I think the rest of the book was entertaining too.
Damn, Candide was one melodramatic man. Also, this is the first book that I have ever annotated!
3/5 stars.
3/5 stars.
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated