Today's Featured Book:
Candide
by Voltaire
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 1759
Page Count: 129 pages
Summary:
Candide is a French satire written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, first published in 1759. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled Candide: or, All for the Best (1759); Candide: or, The Optimist (1762); and Candide: Optimism (1947).
It begins with a young man, Candide, who is living a sheltered life in an Edenic paradise and being indoctrinated with Leibnizian optimism by his mentor, Professor Pangloss. The work describes the abrupt cessation of this lifestyle, followed by Candide's slow and painful disillusionment as he witnesses and experiences great hardships in the world.
Voltaire concludes Candide with, if not rejecting Leibnizian optimism outright, advocating a deeply practical precept, "we must cultivate our garden", in lieu of the Leibnizian mantra of Pangloss, "all is for the best" in the "best of all possible worlds".
In a castle of Westphalia, belonging to the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh, lived a youth, whom nature had endowed with the most gentle manners. His countenance was a true picture of his soul. He combined a true judgment with simplicity of spirit, which was the reason, I apprehend, of his being called Candide.
Voltaire. Candide, p. 1. Kindle Edition.
THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky.
They sat until four o'clock in the morning. Candide, in listening to all their adventures, was reminded of what the old woman had said to him in their voyage to Buenos Ayres, and of her wager that there was not a person on board the ship but had met with very great misfortunes. He dreamed of Pangloss at every adventure told to him. "This Pangloss," said he, "would be puzzled to demonstrate his system. I wish that he were here. Certainly, if all things are good, it is in El Dorado and not in the rest of the world."
Voltaire. Candide, 56%. Kindle Edition.
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Candide is a brilliant masterpiece, a scathingly brutal satire of overly optimistic philosophies of life.
Candide lives a secluded life with a wealthy family in a castle, and his life is so affluent that Candide has his own philosophy teacher, Pangloss.
All is well, and Pangloss’ philosophies remain intact until Candide falls in love with the family’s daughter and he is expelled into real life.
Real life brings an endless series of horrible events for Candide and all the people he meets, horrible events that are so inexplicably horrible that they make the life of Job appear to be quite Edenic.
Candide at last makes his way back to his homeland and, after all the horrible experiences, he is able to revise his philosophy of life to the practical: Cultivate your garden, he extols, cautiously.
Brilliant. Masterpiece. A must read.
The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.
What’s your biggest pet peeve about the book community? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee-Addicted Writer)
I feel like we are often too exclusionary, that we who read one sort of book scorn others who read other sorts of books. We often end up in jobs where we rate and ridicule the reading of others to the point that people hate books and hate reading. I hate that this happens.
Well, I may only read 2-3 genres myself and one could argue that it might be more 2, but I never begrudge anyone for reading what they like to read. I mean reading anything is better than doing a lot of other things. Reading for me has always been about enjoyment. If you're not enjoying what you're reading, find something else (unless it's assigned and you literally HAVE to read it! lol)! But yeah, this idea of people making fun of you for reading a certain genre isn't necessary. Reading is reading.
ReplyDeleteHere's my BBH
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I agree!
DeleteWorth mentioning — the word “panglossian” derived from this memorable character and meaning (of course) “someone who is naively or unreasonably optimistic” — have a great weekend… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'm a little panglossian, I think. And then Real Life smacks me in the face. lol
DeleteI couldn’t agree more. Reading should bring people together, not divide us. We all enjoy different kinds of books, and that’s what makes the book community so interesting. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI read “Candide” when I was seventeen or eighteen, when it was an assigned book in my French course. I remember very little of it, so perhaps it’s time to read it again.
ReplyDeleteA great book. I also loved it when I read it some years ago. I read it because it was a classic, but I was surprised of how it was written. I thought it would be much more 'difficult' Great book.
ReplyDeleteBook Blogger Hop: That's so true. Occasionally, I'll receive a "rant" comment on my blog complaining about how much they hate my review because I either liked or disliked a book they like or disliked.
ReplyDeleteFriday 56: Sounds like an interesting book.
I think that the book community should be kind to each other and each reader can sample and read what appeals to them. Some like genre books, some more literary, some non-fic, etc., etc. And it's reading whether you are listening to audiobooks, reading a book in print, or an e-book. I think so anyway. So, everyone, enjoy your reading and if doesn't work for you, go on to the next. Yay!
ReplyDeleteI read Candide for my first time last year. It is so silly and fun, yet has seriousness underneath. https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/classic-review-candide.html
ReplyDeleteQuite a high brow book there!
ReplyDeleteErgh there is some unpleasantness that goes around. It isn't necessary. I read a range of different genres. Mystery is probably my favourite, but I do enjoy an Historical Fiction (preferably Mystery) and Fantasy.
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2026/07/10/book-blogger-hop-whats-your-biggest-pet-peeve-about-the-book-community/
I hate seeing people bash readers for what they read. I'm happy to see people reading anything. We all aren't going to like the same things and that's ok.
ReplyDeleteLike David, I read "Candide" in French class so many years ago that I can only remember its broad outlines. I do remember that I quite liked it at the time. As for my current day reading, I do try to read a variety of books, although I have to admit that my list probably leans most heavily toward mysteries.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, I agree with Mary's comment. Thank you so much for sharing your posts, I really enjoy hearing what books you have read or are reading! I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteCultivate your garden cautiously, a good warning.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I hardly see any book bloggers covering the classics, and that's a shame! It's not what I feature in my content, either, but it is what I have 2 degrees in - LOL. I love Candide, so happy to see it getting some love here!!
ReplyDelete