3.26k reviews for:

Candide

Voltaire

3.56 AVERAGE

fast-paced

I read this over a decade ago and frankly didn't remember much about it other than thinking it was just OK. It held up better on a reread, and overall I quite enjoyed this short, fast-paced, engaging satire. I appreciated the quick chapters, and how briskly the plot moves along. Glad to have given this another go.

Really liked the story! Although the “humor” was too dark and crude for me to understand. I did like the premise of the story.
adventurous challenging dark funny reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

"cultiver son jardin"
Cultivate your garden

*testing* *testing*
(let’s begin by recognizing that he was in fact a racist, homophobic, misogynistic anti-semite) 

It is apparent in Candide that Voltaire’s got jokes. I found this to be a pointed commentary on the silliness of the westernized fairytale all the while delivering a cutting message to us all to mind our business and touch grass. The Leibniz snark was clever, an insane 18th century diss track. 

wish signor pococurante could have lived to see contemporary art. he'd love it and be so mad

Leibniz is a FUGLY SLUT!
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Is it worse to live in constant despair, or to just life in boredom?

At first, Candide bored me. It was just non-stop misery. It felt repetitive and cruel, took me forever to finish. But I love the ending; after all that chaos, Voltaire doesn't give some big fix or happy ending. I was expecting them to go back to their kingdom and took over the crown or something. But instead it's just: "We must cultivate our garden." Simple and weirdly comforting. 
adventurous funny lighthearted reflective fast-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
adventurous reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes