Candide, with eBook

By: Voltaire

Narrated by: Tom Whitworth

This is the tale of the happy but ill-fated Candide and his progressive disillusionment with the idea that we live in the best of all possible worlds. His tutor, Dr. Pangloss, embodies this philosophy of good cheer, even in the face of ever more absurd misfortunes. Luckily, Candide's other companions provide an over-supply of good sense.

Translated by T. Smollett.

©1991 Joss Recordings; (P)2002 Tantor Media, Inc.

Everything happens for a reason

Probably the true genesis of chaos theory and an intriguing exploration of a glass half full or half empty philosophical view.

Candide lived a full life and avoided the three vices: boredom. Vice and Poverty.

So was it a life well lived or a life of constant sorrow?

Great book, but the reading …

Coimbra pronounced “Quambra?” Really? Do the minimum amount of research and at least be in the ballpark for correct pronunciation.

Classic Confusion

If you enjoy the classics, this might be for you. If you wish to avoid a ghorish, pessimistic-filled world of literary turmoil...avoid it. The audio quality is fine, but the narrator can get a little boring (or was it Candide?). You'll definitely love it or hate it...I'm the latter.

Excellent and Entertaining

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I do believe it helped that I learned about Voltaire’s motivation for this book before listening.

It was a timely listen for me, living in a time filled with insanity, where results of direct observation are rejected in favor of rigid ideologies. That such a problem existed during Voltaire’s time was eye opening, though in retrospect it probably shouldn’t have been. I found myself laughing out loud frequently at what was written.

I highly recommend this.

Classic I'm satire

There are certainly aspects of the book that didn't age well, notably the frequent reference to rape, which in today's society I think we would often try to be sensitive to triggering someone that has actually experienced that trauma. That aspect aside, I think the story does a good job of being engaging and blisteringly cynical about the ills of society and highlighting the disparity in life, especially at the time. It's been a while since read other satire of that age, but I would say this is on par with Gulliver's travels but does not top Catch 22 in terms of humor and absurdity.