Book Review: Candide (Voltaire)

by Jiayun

During the Enlightenment in Europe, Voltaire became a well-known philosophe. A philosophe was not a usual philosopher; they were people who informally used reason and common sense on everyday events, ideas, etc. Candide was written in 1759, as a satirical novel. In general, Candide is about humans and evils in society.

Candide (the main character) is a young philosopher who lives in a country house with the Baron's family. From the beginning, one feels a sense of pity toward Candide. First, the Baron kicks (literally) Candide out of his home when he realizes Candide is falling in love with his daughter Cunegonde. Then, he joins the Bulgars, leaves the Bulgars, befriends James the Anabaptist, and is whipped for an earthquake; after all these misfortunes, Candide reunites with Lady Cunegonde. At this point, he already seems to have a terrible life. However, due to an ill-fated life, he is forced to leave Lady Cunegonde, and to travel with a man named Cacambo.

The novel continues with Candide's mishaps using satirical passages to entertain the reader. Lady Cunegonde has a servant whose story is particularly funny! The servant is often described with one buttock: "I will ride behind my lady (though I can hardly keep my seat with only one buttock), and we will reach Cadiz somehow" (Voltaire 47). She describes her transformation from a princess to a servant (as a result, we also find out what happened to her buttocks).

This is a great novel for a quick, humorous read (only 144 pages).

NOTE: Candide is also known as Optimism.