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cleothebengal's review against another edition
4.0
I love Candide so much. Oh how I love Candide. He's a pansy, but that was kind of an important part of the plot, so that's okay.
So much happens in such a short book, and especially considering that this is French literature, one can really appreciate how concise Voltaire was.
I just keep re-reading this year after year, as there's always more to dig out from it. It really explores some of the commonly held beliefs of the time and ridicules those who share Candide's unrelenting optimism.
So much happens in such a short book, and especially considering that this is French literature, one can really appreciate how concise Voltaire was.
I just keep re-reading this year after year, as there's always more to dig out from it. It really explores some of the commonly held beliefs of the time and ridicules those who share Candide's unrelenting optimism.
blind_lawyer's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very quick read, with a wonderful last chapter. The book is weird though.
megawhoppingcosmicbookwyrm's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love a bit of satire. Many parts of this book felt like a Monty Python skit or a Mel Brooks film. I’ve never been able to get behind the whole “everything is as it should be” way of thinking, and Voltaire does a really great job of skewering that philosophy in this very short read. The “tend your own garden” line at the end really stuck with me. I think it’s very important advice, especially in this time of social media oversaturation.
hippokly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
i enjoyed it. didn't think it was groundbreaking, but it is very fun and funny. it is very satirical
daja57's review against another edition
5.0
Great fun!
It is a picaresque bildungsroman that purports to be a work of philosophy but it is dead easy to read (in translation) and quite short and utterly bonkers. So many characters die ... and then reappear with a completely bizarre explanation of their escape. And talk about action-packed! There's an earthquake, pirates, slavery, lots and lots of sex of all sorts, murders, executions, wars ...
Please give it a go.
It is a picaresque bildungsroman that purports to be a work of philosophy but it is dead easy to read (in translation) and quite short and utterly bonkers. So many characters die ... and then reappear with a completely bizarre explanation of their escape. And talk about action-packed! There's an earthquake, pirates, slavery, lots and lots of sex of all sorts, murders, executions, wars ...
Please give it a go.
kirapisk's review against another edition
What a weird little book. Buttocks seemed to be important to the plot? I wrote some quotes down but I think I still have to read some analysis or interpretation to fully make sense of this book.
trin's review against another edition
3.0
One of the oddest works of classic literature I have ever read. If you don’t think too hard about certain aspects—the lovely touches of sexism and racism; the frequent bouts of rape and torture—it’s actually quite fun, and surprisingly funny. As much as I love the repressed staunchness of the Victorian era, one has to imagine that the lewd, bawdy 18th Century would have been a fascinating one to live in.
It also makes one wonder if a backlash to our current level of cultural tawdriness—comparable to the 19th Century’s reaction to the 18th—is coming. As much as I would like to see fewer naked celebrities on various red carpets (and it’s always naked female celebrities—what’s up with that? where’s our era of publicly naked men?), this idea kind of terrifies me. Though it would be nice if cravats came back. Cravats are hot.
It also makes one wonder if a backlash to our current level of cultural tawdriness—comparable to the 19th Century’s reaction to the 18th—is coming. As much as I would like to see fewer naked celebrities on various red carpets (and it’s always naked female celebrities—what’s up with that? where’s our era of publicly naked men?), this idea kind of terrifies me. Though it would be nice if cravats came back. Cravats are hot.
haveyouseentron's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
histogrammarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
msperegrinefan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0