Candide - Voltaire

...in the best of all possible Worlds! If one is to adhere to the teachings of the Great Dr Pangloss, anyhow. This book is DEFINATELY worth a read. No-matter who/what/where you are. We follow the young Candide as he travels the World, attempting to live by the philosophies of his mentor - Dr. Pangloss. This is a very enjoyable exploration of optimism; witty, engaging, thought-provoking. He is banished from his comfortable home, and the company of the Doctor, when caught kissing his love, Lady Cunégonde. After this, believing he will never see any of his friends again, he sets out into the unknown, armed with the optimism instilled in him ...  Read the complete review

Gosh, this review has been a while in the making! I hope you enjoy reading it, and that it inspires you to go and read Candide, whether in the original or in translation. Candide, by French author Voltaire, was written in the aftermath of the Lisbon earthquake that happened in 1755 (yes, it's an old book!), and during the seven years war between France and Prussia, backed by England and taking place in the US. It's part of the "Enlightenment" works, a period when science and philosophy came to the fore and human reason was believed to be able to combat ignorance and superstition. The ...  Read the complete review

Voltaire's 'Candide' is a literary masterpiece. I came across it studying A-level French, and from reading just one of Voltaire's works it is easy to see why he is such an acclaimed philosopher. The novel is the tale of a young man Candide who is thrown out of his home and banished from his country and the woman he loves. Voltaire charts his progress as he travels from country to country, continent to continent searching for "the best of all possible worlds". He is rejoined periodically by his mentor doctor Pangloss, the love of his life Cunegonde and other familiar faces who disappear and reappear in a most amusing fashion. This voyage of ...  Read the complete review