Book Description:
Candide by Voltaire is a biting philosophical satire that skewers the optimism of Enlightenment thought and exposes the absurdities of blind faith, war, and institutional power. First published in 1759, this fast-paced novella follows the naive young Candide as he journeys across a world ravaged by disaster — from the Lisbon earthquake to the Inquisition and beyond — all while clinging to the belief that he lives in “the best of all possible worlds.”
Through dark humor and relentless irony, Voltaire critiques religious dogma, authoritarian cruelty, and the blind acceptance of suffering. Candide blends dystopian elements with sharp political commentary, using exaggerated misfortunes and ruthless wit to challenge philosophical idealism and champion reason, resilience, and human agency.
A cornerstone of Enlightenment literature, Candide remains both a savage satire and a timeless call for critical thinking in the face of oppression and injustice.
