Candide
Candide by Voltaire
Published: 1759
Narrated by: Don Hagen
Translated By: Unfortunately, no idea.
Length: 03:45 (129 pages)
A young man named Candide is living a simple and easy life in a Baron’s castle in Westphalia (born and raised, on the playground is where he spent most of his days). He’s caught kissing the Baron’s daughter and is thrown out of the castle (Jazzy Jeff style, I assume), and then spends the novel wandering from one adventure to the next. In his youth, he was tutored by the castle’s educator, a religious philosopher who taught him the ways of optimistic theodicy, which states that they live in the best of all possible worlds and that everything that happens is for the absolute best, which he repeats to himself often after he’s forced from his idyllic life and into the horrors of the world.
“Optimism,” said Cacambo, “What is that?” “Alas!” replied Candide, “It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst.”
I was surprised at how modern this felt for a novel written three and a half centuries ago, particularly with how fast the plot jumped about, but as I type this I realize I’ve said that quite a few times about old novels now, and I should probably stop being surprised at some point. This is also quite funny throughout, as Voltaire lampoons the theological and philosophical ideas of the time concerning absolute optimism. He walks Candide through horrific event after horrific event and we watch as he tries to somehow fit these in with his optimistic beliefs.
Voltaire really does not hold back in this. Candide encounters the graphic results of war, rape, cold-blooded murder, torture, hangings, sexually transmitted diseases, natural disasters, theft, bestiality, greed, gambling, and a woman with only one buttock. This makes it sound like quite a heavy and serious novel, but it really isn’t. The way he injects absurd humour into everything and how the characters act, almost stilted like a Wes Anderson movie, lets the reader see how awful this all is without really becoming emotionally invested in the events themselves. Which I realize also makes this sound shallow, but it’s purposefully and expertly done. It’s too much to be reacted to in a realistic way, and if he had tried to do so, I think then the novel truly would have felt superficial and disingenuous.
I’ve said this a few times lately, but this is another one I’ll want to re-read soon, as I feel like I wasn’t really in the right state of mind when I listened to this. I still really enjoyed it, giving it four stars on Goodreads, but I feel like this could have potentially been a five-starer at the right time.
A Facebook notification popped up yesterday reminding me that our favourite used book sale will be happening again in a couple of months, so I’ll look for a physical copy of this while I’m there. I really love the look of the Penguin edition of this, with the comic cover, so maybe the stars will align. I shall remain optimistic.
10 Comments
Silvia
Excellent review. This is probably a book difficult to explain if you have not read it, but you did great.
After, I listened to Zadig, and it was another very interesting story, oriental setting, but it is not as pitch perfect as Candide. I too think I am going to re-read it this year. It’s short, but it doesn’t feel short. It’s a gem.
Rob
Thank you! It is a tricky one to explain.
I do hear that Zadig isn’t really on the same level, but I’m looking forward to it nonetheless.
Silvia
Oh, but I loved it too. I too was looking forward to it, and it didn’t disappoint, it’s just a bit overshadowed by the amazing Candide.
Rob
That’s good to hear!
Michael @ Knowledge Lost
I really loved this book, I want to read it over and over again…but I want to do that with so many books.
Rob
I’ve been finding that lately as well.
J.E. Fountain
Moving this up on the TBR based on your review; it seems to have all the marks of something I’ll really enjoy. As far as repeating “old, but feels modern”…it’s worth repeating. Not all older novels have that quality and I think it’s certainly a special quality. Same for wanting to reread. Once upon a time, with very few exceptions, I wouldn’t reread, but one of the many things I have learned on my quest is that books should be reread. The first read the pleasure is the new discovery. Subsequent reads the pleasure is understanding everything, including the author’s intent, so much better. Cheers.
Rob
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I still have a hard time picking up a novel to re-read, but I’m feeling the urge more and more lately, so I think it’s something I’ll need to actually start doing this year. I only really re-read a novel one a year or so, if that, but I definitely see the benefit in doing it more.
J.E. Fountain
I’ve got this coming up on my back to the classics 2019. Very intriguing review…I’m left wondering if I’m going to like it or not…but definitely looking forward to ti.
Rob
Looking forward to reading your opinion on this. It’s definitely an interesting book!