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Mark Porton's Reviews > Candide
Candide
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by
Mark Porton's review
bookshelves: 5-stars, classics, educational, funny, philosophy, voltaire
Jul 03, 2023
bookshelves: 5-stars, classics, educational, funny, philosophy, voltaire
This is my first novel by Voltaire, and it will not be my last. How lucky to have a trifecta of satirists and piss-takers on hand now, just waiting for me to pluck out a story and have a ball. The other two being Gogol and Kafka, of course. This piece was written by Voltaire in 1759.
Candide was an impressionable young man, he was a very gullible, kind hearted young man. He was influenced by his tutor, a man called Pangloss. This man’s mantra was this world we live in is “the best of all possible worlds”. Or as is said down under “She’ll be right mate.” Everything will work out in the end, for the good. This had a massive impact in the impressionable Candide.
Pangloss was a professor of metaphysicotheologico-cosmolo-nigology. He and Candide were living in a castle in a place called Whestphalia owned by the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh. You can imagine, as soon as I read these words, I knew I was in for one helluva ride.
Candide caught in the act of trying to seduce the gorgeous Cunegonde
Candide falls for the scrumptious Cunegonde, the Baron’s daughter. As soon as the Baron discovers this – Candide is kicked out of the castle and what follows next is a journey across the globe whereby he encounters many dreadful people and situations. The horrors he experiences, sees, or hears from other people include, rape, murder, enslavement, thieving, whipping, the inquisition, earthquakes, monkeys chasing naked young maidens and biting their buttocks, burning at the stake – to name only a handful.
The villainy of mankind presented itself before his imagination in all its deformity, and his mind was filled with gloomy ideas
Candide started to have serious doubts about Pangloss’s overly optimistic philosophy of life. In fact, Voltaire spends considerable time dismantling the notion of supreme optimism here, and he does an incredibly good job. He also explores the idea of happiness, and fulfilment – and his view on how to achieve that.
This book is a lovely amalgam of philosophy, history and fun – my review has only scratched the surface.
5 Stars
Candide was an impressionable young man, he was a very gullible, kind hearted young man. He was influenced by his tutor, a man called Pangloss. This man’s mantra was this world we live in is “the best of all possible worlds”. Or as is said down under “She’ll be right mate.” Everything will work out in the end, for the good. This had a massive impact in the impressionable Candide.
Pangloss was a professor of metaphysicotheologico-cosmolo-nigology. He and Candide were living in a castle in a place called Whestphalia owned by the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh. You can imagine, as soon as I read these words, I knew I was in for one helluva ride.
Candide caught in the act of trying to seduce the gorgeous Cunegonde
Candide falls for the scrumptious Cunegonde, the Baron’s daughter. As soon as the Baron discovers this – Candide is kicked out of the castle and what follows next is a journey across the globe whereby he encounters many dreadful people and situations. The horrors he experiences, sees, or hears from other people include, rape, murder, enslavement, thieving, whipping, the inquisition, earthquakes, monkeys chasing naked young maidens and biting their buttocks, burning at the stake – to name only a handful.
The villainy of mankind presented itself before his imagination in all its deformity, and his mind was filled with gloomy ideas
Candide started to have serious doubts about Pangloss’s overly optimistic philosophy of life. In fact, Voltaire spends considerable time dismantling the notion of supreme optimism here, and he does an incredibly good job. He also explores the idea of happiness, and fulfilment – and his view on how to achieve that.
This book is a lovely amalgam of philosophy, history and fun – my review has only scratched the surface.
5 Stars
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Reading Progress
June 4, 2023
– Shelved
June 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 26, 2023
–
Started Reading
June 27, 2023
–
42.0%
"What a surprising gem of a story. Satire, no less (look out Gogol and Kafka, Voltaire is coming fast down the ourside) .
A totally different style - but engaging from the get-go. Funny, absurd, and brutal, very brutal.
Just how we like it :))"
A totally different style - but engaging from the get-go. Funny, absurd, and brutal, very brutal.
Just how we like it :))"
July 2, 2023
–
75.0%
"I have never encountered a character (Candide) who has experienced or met people who have experienced such crappy luck!!
This story is a beauty."
This story is a beauty."
July 2, 2023
–
Finished Reading
July 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
5-stars
July 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
classics
July 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
educational
July 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
funny
July 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
philosophy
July 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
voltaire
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Jul 03, 2023 08:40PM
Wonderful review, Mark! This one has been on my list for many years. I can’t wait to read it.
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Great review, Mark! On my TBR. Looking forward to reading this :D
Excellent review Mark. I hadn't previously considered this book but your review has got me interested.Also I had seen "Panglossian" used in a different context to describe someone with an optimistic view of the world. Thanks to you, I now know where that term comes from!
Aha, just as our noses were designed to support our reading glasses, this piss-taking book was designed for a review after its own spirit, Mark—well done!Re Ian's point about the word 'Panglossian', there's also the word 'candid'. I wonder which came first—the character Candide or the adjective candid which is such a perfect description of Candide's transparent character:-)
Maricarmen wrote: "Wonderful review, Mark! This one has been on my list for many years. I can’t wait to read it."So happy you've added this one Maricarmen - it's a quick read and a lot of fun. Muchas gracias por leer mi resena - muy amable :))
..................make sure I dont miss your review!!!
Kushagri wrote: "Great review, Mark! On my TBR. Looking forward to reading this :D"I hope you read it soon so I dont miss your review Kushagri - it is pretty insane, but it does have a couple of serious messages!!! Thanks you :)
Ian wrote: "Excellent review Mark. I hadn't previously considered this book but your review has got me interested.Also I had seen "Panglossian" used in a different context to describe someone with an optimis..."
That is interesting Ian, the trick is I need to remember that. Regarding optimism, I think it's a good thing - however, Candide was overly influenced (in my view) because he was easily influenced and so limp. Kind though. I hope you read it, I'd like to read what you think mate!
Fionnuala wrote: "Aha, just as our noses were designed to support our reading glasses, this piss-taking book was designed for a review after its own spirit, Mark—well done!Re Ian's point about the word 'Panglossian..."
Bahahahaha "after it's own spirit!!!" - well yes, I think you got that right Fionnuala. I know it's a stupid thing to think (me, not you) - but art and photos from history always tend to show people so serious. It's easy to forget - they would have the same number of 'piss-takers' as we do now. Of course hey?
In fact, reading up on this author - he got himself into trouble a few times, antiauthoritarian, he pushed the Catholic Church too and spent time in the Bastille (I think) - what a guy!!! Thanks for your funny comments :))
ps. Re Candide, meaning white or pure, I think. I have experience seeing so much Candida albicans under the microscope in cases of thrush and the immunocompromised. There's so much to think about here :))
Great review, Mark. Voltaire is another one I haven't read yet. Sigh ...
Brilliant review Mark!
Fantastic review, Mark. I've had this book on my shelf forever. Now I must around to reading it. Voltaire sounds like a brilliant clown.
Bianca wrote: "Great review, Mark. Voltaire is another one I haven't read yet. Sigh ..."Ah ha - I love the 'sigh' Bianca. But hey, All I can say is you can knock this off in 90 mins or less, and it's worth it. Thanks again :))
Maureen wrote: "Brilliant review Mark!"Thanks heaps Maureen!!! Too kind :))
Anne wrote: "Fantastic review, Mark. I've had this book on my shelf forever. Now I must around to reading it. Voltaire sounds like a brilliant clown."MUST, MUST, MUST Annie, let me know what you think 🤗🎈
Terrific review, Mark. I see you’re relishing the company of Voltaire, Gogol and Kafka.
Laysee wrote: "Terrific review, Mark. I see you’re relishing the company of Voltaire, Gogol and Kafka."Oh yes, they're a lively trio Laysee - thanks so much again!!
Ah, I have such mixed feelings about this book, Markus! I loved the message, but the execution maybe not quite so much?! It certainly left me feeling rather reflective after reading it. I sure do appreciate your enthusiasm and this terrific review :)
Glad this was a huge hit for you, Mark. I always love reading your reviews.
An outstanding review, Mark! This sounds like a great adventure. :-)
Candi wrote: "Ah, I have such mixed feelings about this book, Markus! I loved the message, but the execution maybe not quite so much?! It certainly left me feeling rather reflective after reading it. I sure do a..."I loved your review Canders - as usual, so well written and as I said I loved your focus on Martin. Pessimists give me the shits to be honest, I used to bump into them at work and they'd say crappy stuff like "better to be a pessimist, in that way you're never disappointed". Oh dear - these people were often above me in the food chain and I used to think, quietly "you miserable bugger".
Yes, this is a work that is quite clearly absurd and satirical, but you're right, it makes one reflect, it's an intelligent piece to be sure, further reading has made me understand more of this piece. This dude was obviously a classy guy :))
Nancy (trying to catch up after a very busy May) wrote: "Glad this was a huge hit for you, Mark. I always love reading your reviews."That is such a kind thing to say Nancy, thanks heaps. Oh and welcome back! 🤗🎈
Kimber wrote: "An outstanding review, Mark! This sounds like a great adventure. :-)"An adventure indeed Kimber, but one I would rather not have!! Thanks so much again 😊😬
Well now this does sound intriguing ‘philosophy, history and fun’. Throw in a glass of wine and I’m there 😁Wonderful review Mark
Margaret M wrote: "Well now this does sound intriguing ‘philosophy, history and fun’. Throw in a glass of wine and I’m there 😁Wonderful review Mark"Hahahahaha - too right Margaret, thanks so much!!
You are chumming with friends outside of my realm, Mark. Glad they are serving up some fine stories for you
Jen CAN wrote: "You are chumming with friends outside of my realm, Mark. Glad they are serving up some fine stories for you"Hey Jen Jen, I find these satirical pieces by the likes of Gogol, Kafka and now Voltaire - so accessible, some more so than the modern works we read. If you haven't tried them - I can highly recommend trying one out. I know you'll love them (sounding like a salesman now) 😬
