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If you like philosophy and the human condition, you definitely need to read the French classic “Candide, ou L’optimisme” (Candide, or the Optimist) by Voltaire!
- Date finished: February 7th, 2017
- Pages: 259
- Format: Paperback
- Form: Novel
- Language read in: French
- Series: Standalone
- Genre: Classics | Fiction | Philosophy | French Literature
Buy “Candide“
“Candide” is an exciting philosophical fictional tale of radical optimism. The story follows Candide, a gentleman who’s constantly tested by fate but remains optimistic that, despite every horrible thing that happens to him and around him, he is living “the best of all possible worlds.”
I seriously loved the absurdity and all the varying and abstract ideals I’ve read through in this novel. Candide is one of the most interesting characters and it is ironically because he is lacking great depth, which is why his adventures were entertaining to watch as he naively stumbled through them.
There is honestly so much to say about this story and it takes on themes such as philosophy, theology, war, happiness, suffering, etc, that it is impossible to recount all of its glories in a simple review.
Overall, it is an enticing and thought-provoking read.
“I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid melancholy propensities, for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one’s very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?”
“Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.”
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