Candide. This item is unavailable.Candide

Voltaire's Candide is a decidedly playful romp through certain parts of history, satirizing religion, philosophy, and government along the way. The title character is instructed in the concept of optimism, which through the course of the short novel, he finds unraveling about him. When first published, the novel was banned, but it has enjoyed a long life due to its scathing satire on society and the world.

'Gordon's introduction is well crafted and engaging. He explains very well Voltaire's attitudes and intentions in writing the book and the qualities that make Candide an enduring classic and Voltaire a canonical writer relevant to the present.' - Isser Woloch, Columbia University

'I found this introduction to offer a stellar account of Voltaire as an individual. His ambiguities, his self-presentation, his intellect, his wit all come through. Gordon's comments provoked me to try to read Candide with new eyes.' - Suzanne Desan, University of Wisconsin, Madison