Rating: 
Summary: Cause for optimism?
Review: I thought that "Candide" was a very enjoyable read. It's much more than a satire, it's a reflective novel in which Voltaire opens up various timeless issues for discussion. The central theme is whether or not the optimism (or naivity) of Dr Pangloss's views hold up when faced with the bleak realities of everyday existence. It doesn't really matter that much of the satirical bite of the novel must have been lost due to the passage of time, when it can still deal with issues such as theodisy in an entertaining way.Voltaire sends the innocent and impressionable Candide on what amounts to a world tour (or as near to it as makes no difference). The reader has to put up with outrageous coincidences and improbabilities: I felt that Voltaire was using such devices deliberately to amuse the reader. Candide experiences various adventures and meets (often more than once) a collection of exotic characters. His travails eventually cause him to question his teacher Pangloss's value system. But really, Voltaire throws various philosophical problems at the reader and invites a reaction - often this is done with a fine wit. All in all, a pleasure - the more so because it's a surprising one.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than a 20 minute phone call
Review: This is one of those few classics that is actually quite entertaining as well as being intellectually stimulating. I laughed out loud many times while reading this. It is a short read, and any one can enjoy it. ...
Rating:
Summary: "The best of all possible satires"
Review: What more is there to say about this book? Maybe the best compliment I can pay is that I just finished reading it, again, and I still loved it. This is probably the 4th or 5th time I've done so since I first read it in college. What makes it so great?
Voltaire (or his real name, Arouet) takes many of the institutions of man and ridicules them to a hilarious degree. I began laughing with the very first paragraph and never stopped. Nothing is sacred here - governments, religions, traditions, science - all feel the sting of Voltaire's commentary. And Voltaire plays no favorites. At different times he had something to say about the French, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Germans, Turks, etc. With religion, Voltaire spread the wealth as well. Catholics, Protestants, Jews and even Muslims are not spared. Voltaire went to great lengths to ensure that almost no one escaped his wrath.
The author's basic premise was to state that the world is a terrible place. But the title character, Candide, is an eternal optimist, and he tries to reconcile the evil he sees in the world with what he believes, which is that all that happens "is for the best." As things get worse, he continues to try to find the "silver lining" in the tragedies he witnesses or experiences.
Voltaire's work is a masterpiece and has stood the test of time. It can be read and understood almost as well today as it was when it was produced over 250 years ago. I just can't recommend it enough - "Candide" is the ultimate cynic's handbook!
Five stars.
Rating:
Summary: read "The Selfish-Gene" book by Richard Dawkins and know!
Review: While Candide is a great book, this translation (the Dover Thrift Edition) has but one merit, and that is its low cost. Not only does the translator (anonymous) use archaic language to render in English a book that was written in modern French, but he misuses it. While one could make a case for using 'thou' when Voltaire used the informal 'tu', this translator uses it seemingly at random. He reverses the meaning of at least one line and skips several words for no apparent reason. If you want to read Candide, either find a better translation than this or read the original.
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