Reviews - Candide | The StoryGraph

3.26k reviews for:

Candide

Voltaire

3.56 AVERAGE

obaiddoman's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous funny sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"cultiver son jardin"
Cultivate your garden

candyms's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

imanisun's review against another edition

2.0

I am not sure what I was expecting from this. I read this with the knowledge that this is Voltaire's most famous work, and I have been interested in Voltaire for quite some time. That being said, none of what I read in this really seemed to be particularly profound. I mean, I get the "twist" at the end (if you can call it that) but for me, that was not only predictable, I also didn't really see the point. Maybe there wasn't supposed to be a point. I'm not sure. In a way, I was also disappointed with the not-so-subtle epitaphs that Voltaire so prominently featured. I know, I know: "That was just how it was during that time. They didn't know any better". Well that excuse is lame and honestly inexcusable. I guess I thought Voltaire would be a bit above all that since he seem(ed) like such a humanist (lol).

Okay. So I also think I understand that these characters are but caricatures, or better yet representative of something else. Honestly, I also didn't get it. Haha joke's on me, I didn't get the satire. Haha. Well. Joke's on ole Voltaire because I didn't think it was that funny. Haha nothing.

I didn't like Candide and I also didn't like Cunegonde. Especially the latter. The only good character was Cacambo, and he was barely in the story. Not sure how I feel about this one. Maybe I'll read it again one day. I did like that Voltaire made his writing so accessible. It was easy to read and quite blunt. It just wasn't that interesting.