Candide, or Optimism

Name: Candide, or Optimism
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9780140455106
Price: 21.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Francois Voltaire

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Summary

In Candide, or Optimism by François Voltaire, the young protagonist Candide is thrust from a sheltered and idealistic upbringing into a harsh world filled with various misadventures. As he travels across continents, Candide encounters a series of challenging situations that ultimately question the philosophy of optimistic determinism taught by his mentor, Pangloss. The story is a satirical exploration of human folly, society, and the pursuit of happiness.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$21⁹⁹

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Candide, or Optimism

$21⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are intrigued by satirical adventures and philosophical discussions on optimism. It offers a clever and humorous critique of society and human nature, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in Enlightenment-era literature and its enduring questions.

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When his love for the Baron's daughter is discovered, Candide is cast out to make his own way in the world. And so he and his companions begin a breathless tour of Europe, South America and Asia, as an outrageous series of disasters befall them earthquakes, syphilis, a brush with the Inquisition, and murder, testing the young hero's optimism.

Description

A major new translation of Voltaire's fast-paced, globe-trotting satire - an irresistible holiday read.

Brought up in the household of a powerful Baron, Candide is an open-minded young man, whose tutor, Pangloss, has instilled in him the belief that all is for the best. But when his love for the Baron's rosy-cheeked daughter is discovered, Candide is cast out to make his own way in the world.

And so he and his various companions begin a breathless tour of Europe, South America and Asia, as an outrageous series of disasters befall them - earthquakes, syphilis, a brush with the Inquisition, murder - sorely testing the young hero's optimism.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140455106

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 May 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

Introduction by Michael Wood
Translated by Theo Cuffe
Edited by Theo Cuffe

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 157g

Pages: 208

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction Francois Voltaire General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics

About the Author

Voltaire (1694-1778) French writer, satirist, the embodiment of the 18th-century Enlightenment. Among his best-known works is the satirical short story CANDIDE (1759). Michael Wood (introducer) is currently Straut Professor of English at Princeton. His books include Stendhal, America in the Movies, The Magician's Doubts, Franz Kafka, and The Road to Delphi. Theo Cuffe (translator) has also translated a selection of Voltaire's short stories for Penguin, Micromegas and Other Short Fictions.

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