Candide and Other Stories: Introduced by Roger Pearson
Candide is the story of a gentle man who, though pummeled and slapped in every direction by fate, clings desperately to the belief that he lives in "the best of all possible worlds." On the surface a witty, bantering tale, this eighteenth-century classic is actually a savage, satiric thrust at the philosophical optimism that proclaims that all disaster and human suffering is part of a benevolent cosmic plan. Fast, funny, often outrageous, the French philosopher's immortal narrative takes Candide around the world to discover that — contrary to the teachings of his distinguished tutor Dr. Pangloss — all is not always for the best. Alive with wit, brilliance, and graceful storytelling, Candide has become Voltaire's most celebrated work. |
Contents
Introduction | vii |
Select Bibliography | xxxix |
Translators Note and Acknowledgements | lviii |
Copyright | |
3 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abbé de Saint-Yves Amasis Andalusian horses asked Astarte Babylon baptized Baron beautiful better Brittany brother Bulgars Cacambo Cador Candide Candide's castle CHAPTER dear death diamonds earth Egyptian Eldorado everything evil eyes fair Saint-Yves feet France French gave girl Gordon Grand Magus hand happy heart heaven honour human hundred Huron Hyrcania Ingenu Jansenist Jesuit journey killed King lady lettres de cachet live look Louis XV Louvois lover Lower Brittany magistrate Mambres marry Martin master Micromegas mind misfortunes Miss Cunégonde Mlle de Kerkabon Mlle de Saint-Yves nature Nebuchadnezzar nephew never old woman once Pangloss Paris Périgord philosopher piastres Princess Prior Queen replied Saint-Pouange serpent servant Setoc ship Sirian sister soul speak story supper tears tell Theatine things thought thousand told took turn Voltaire Voltaire's white bull wife wise Mambres words young Zadig Zoroaster