Voltaire - Candide, Or Optimism. Banned Books Series

Voltaire - Candide, Or Optimism. Banned Books SeriesVoltaire's Candide, perhaps written in 1758 and published the following year, stands as his most renowned work, blending philosophical discourse with the structure of an adventure story laced with satirical content. This novel chronicles the catastrophic trials and tribulations faced by its protagonists as they journey around the globe, including a notable visit to the utopian land of Eldorado and Venice. These diverse settings provide Voltaire with ample opportunities to satirize a wide array of subjects. Through the absurd and the grotesque, Voltaire mercilessly mocks government institutions, military affairs, theology, art, and metaphysics. However, his sharpest critique is reserved for the optimistic philosophy of Leibniz, particularly the notion that "this is the best of all possible worlds." Voltaire’s biting wit and keen observations expose the folly of such unwavering optimism amidst the undeniable suffering and chaos of the