Candide Book Summary - Candide Book explained in key points
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Candide summary

Voltaire

Or, all for the Best

4.3 (56 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

Candide is a satirical novel by Voltaire that follows the adventures of the young and naive Candide as he travels the world, facing numerous misfortunes. It is a thought-provoking and humorous critique of the philosophy of optimism.

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    Candide
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    All for the best

    We meet our hero Candide in Westphalia, Germany, where he resides in the castle of the venerable Baron Thunder-ten-Tronckh. Rumored to be an illegitimate son of the Baron’s sister, Candide lives a sheltered life among the royals – not quite respected, but well tolerated.

    From a young age, the good-natured boy finds himself under the tutelage of Dr. Pangloss, a professor of “metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology” who espouses a doctrine of extreme optimism. He instills in Candide that all is well, as they’re already living in the best of all possible worlds. Naive Candide absorbs Pangloss’ every word, believing him to be the greatest philosopher of all time. 

    Apart from the Baron and Pangloss, Candide shares the castle with the 350-pound Baroness and her two teenage children: the handsome x and beautiful Cunegonde. 

    One day, Cunegonde observes Pangloss giving a lesson in “experimental natural philosophy” to Paquette, one of her mother’s chambermaids. Piqued by this demonstration, Cunegonde decides to try some moves on Candide. But their little romance proves short-lived. When the Baron discovers them kissing behind a curtain, he kicks Candide out of the castle. 

    Alone in the real world, Candide’s optimism is immediately put to the test. Cold and hungry, he finally arrives in the nearby town of Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff, where he meets two kind strangers who offer him food and drink. They turn out to be recruiters for the Bulgarian army, who end up tricking him to join their cause. 

    On his first day with the Bulgarian military, Candide receives thirty blows with a cudgel for his poor efforts. By his third day, he receives only ten, for which his comrades begin to regard him as a “prodigy”. But the horrors of his military services are only beginning to unfold. 

    After a brutal battle with the Tartar army, Candide finally manages to escape, stumbling over a battlefield covered in “brains, arms and legs”. He runs into the arms of a kind Anabaptist named James who graciously takes him in, cleans and feeds him. 

    The next day, Candide sees a wretched beggar on the road. The poor man is covered in sores, with a half-eaten nose and rotten teeth. The beggar turns out to be his old teacher Pangloss – and he has some terrible news. 

    The castle Thunder-ten-Tronckh was stormed by Bulgarians. The Baron, Baroness, their son and beautiful Cunegonde were all slaughtered. Pangloss himself managed to flee, but was ravaged by a horrible venereal disease he contracted from his mistress Paquette. 

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    What is Candide about?

    Candide (1759) is a famous satire by French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. The novella follows a naive young man’s journey through a world of misfortunes, challenging his unwavering belief in optimism. This timeless tale is a critique of the philosophical notion that all suffering serves a greater cosmic purpose, delivering with razor-sharp wit and provocative insight. 

    Candide Review

    Candide (1759) is a satirical masterpiece that tackles the philosophical question of optimism versus reality. Here's why this book is worth your time:

    • With sharp wit and clever satire, it exposes the flaws in Leibniz's philosophy and challenges the idea of a perfect world.
    • This philosophical novel takes readers on a journey through a series of disastrous and absurd events, highlighting the folly of blind optimism.
    • Its thought-provoking examination of human suffering and the pursuit of happiness makes it a compelling and relevant read even after centuries.

    Who should read Candide?

    • Philosophy enthusiasts interested in a critique of optimism
    • Fans of dark humor and absurdist narratives
    • Students of French literature and the Age of Enlightenment

    About the Author

    François-Marie Arouet, known by his pen name Voltaire, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian. He was a prolific author, producing works in various literary forms, including play, poems, novels, and essays. Voltaire was renowned for his wit, his criticism of the Catholic Church and slavery, and his passionate advocacy for civil liberties, freedom of speech, and the separation of church and state. 

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    Candide FAQs 

    What is the main message of Candide?

    The main message of Candide is to question optimism and explore the nature of the world.

    How long does it take to read Candide?

    The reading time for Candide varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Candide a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Candide is a thought-provoking read that offers satirical commentary on society. It's definitely worth exploring.

    Who is the author of Candide?

    The author of Candide is Voltaire.

    What to read after Candide?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Candide, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Dancing in the Streets by Barbara Ehrenreich
    • The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt
    • The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides
    • Utopia by Thomas More
    • When the Clock Broke by John Ganz
    • Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
    • The Suggestible Brain by Amir Raz
    • The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell
    • The Horse by Timothy C. Winegard
    • No Ego by Cy Wakeman