Candide - by Voltaire; A Concise Book Review and Summary
Candide - by Voltaire; A Concise Book Review and Summary
Candide is the name of the protagonist of the book - a young man who, despite such disastrous misfortune enveloping both him and all those around him, remains true to an optimistic philosophy that 'all is the best, in the best of all possible worlds'. Voltaire, rejecting this philosophy after the monumental loss of life due to the Lisbon Earthquake, refuted it with masterful ridicule. The preeminent philosophical and societal ideas of 18th century Europe were refuted in the backdrop of absurdity; one such happening in this book involves disguised Jews being apprehended after being spotted throwing away the bacon garnish from their meal. What is unique about Candide is that it deals with serious philosophical arguments in hilarious fashion; it is therefore accessible to any reader - one who seeks either intellectual or comedic stimulation, or both.