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adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
‘Let us get to work,’ said Martin, ‘ without philosophizing it; it is the only way to render life tolerable.’
I can honestly say I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I read it mostly out of professional curiosity (Leonard Bernstein turned Candide into an opera with which I am vaguely familiar) and the fact that it was only 128 pages and I could see what all this Voltaire fuss was about. The story is exactly as promised - a very brief overview of the trials of Candide, a naive young man who learns through much suffering that life isn’t all perfect and sometimes the best thing is just to work and try your best with what you’re given. What I found so delightful was how witty and funny it was - I wasn’t expecting to be laughing out loud and underlining some of the sassiest, snappiest dialogue and philosophical thoughts I’ve read in a long time. I can’t say I’m running out to pick up more Voltaire, but I found this to be surprisingly delightful, and I’m really glad I randomly picked it up.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Candide is fairly successful as a satire; its critiques are myriad and unsubtle, and there is quite a bit of wit and humor in the book. I did not find it particularly successful as a book; the sheer absurdity and blindingly quick pace kept me from caring very much about the characters or the plot. I don't regret reading it, but I have to say that I was looking forward to finishing it after the first half or so.
funny
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-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
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I think this book is brilliant, and I think the author even more so. The perfect balance of wit, irony and the factual realities of the characters took me by storm. I sat, or laid down, entranced by each word and each page, consuming with absolute fervency.
Candide was quite the clueless and brainwashed character, though I am glad he turned a deaf ear to Pangloss's rubbishes at the end. Martin, thankfully a tad less cynical than Signor Pococuranté, was actually my favourite character. Pangloss was my least favourite, as his blind and stubborn idealisms contrasted his supposed title as great philosopher. I cared a little for the old woman as well.
In short, this was a fantastic read, and I am glad to have been able to read it as one of my book club's Books of the Month.
Candide was quite the clueless and brainwashed character, though I am glad he turned a deaf ear to Pangloss's rubbishes at the end. Martin, thankfully a tad less cynical than Signor Pococuranté, was actually my favourite character. Pangloss was my least favourite, as his blind and stubborn idealisms contrasted his supposed title as great philosopher. I cared a little for the old woman as well.
In short, this was a fantastic read, and I am glad to have been able to read it as one of my book club's Books of the Month.