Candide or Optimism!

Yes, it's been a while. Really not my fault, work has been nuts - lots of traveling. Ya Steve, believe it or not I've been busy!

I've been wanting to write this entry for a while, since I finished reading this a few weeks ago. If you're not familiar with the title Candide it is probably one of the most important books in the progress of mankind. It was written in the 1700s and by Marie Francois Arouet, a.k.a. Voltaire. Voltaire was probably one of the most important people to spearhead the period called 'The Enlightenment'. This period in mankind is primarily responsible for the Western world we live in now. Voltaire and many others fought for the separation of Church and State in politics. It's important to understand this about Voltaire before you read Candide as it will enable you to pick up on a lot of the subtle humour and sarcasm used throughout the novella.

What drove me to read this was my insatiable need to learn more and more about history. I was actually dreading reading this book, since it's over 300 years old and could just imagine the prose used. However, to my surprise the story is written very well and it actually gripping. I never felt like I was reading an 'old' story.
To summarize the story without giving too much away:

It was written as a rebuttal to the philosophy or another philosopher of that time, Leibniz. Leibniz believed that since God is all knowing and benevolent he would create the best possible world to live in. So any bad events that occur are for a greater good.

Voltaire disagreed with this and wrote Candide.
The story revolves around the journey of Candide's life in pursuit of his love Cunegonde. Along the way everything horrible happens to Candide, from the Spanish inquisition, murder of a monk, slavery and England. Candide's sidekick for the start of this story is the philosopher and teacher of Candide, Pangloss. Pangloss is actually supposed to be a fictional representation of Leibniz.

I, personally, found the story to be great for two reasons: the story itself is interesting and easy to follow, but more importantly for me the history included is outstanding. I strongly recommend anyone with half a brain read this book and learn more about the past and have a better appreciation of the world we live in today. If you choose to read this story, I suggest finding a copy with footnotes and endnotes in it. I found the notes very important in fully understanding the story, since there are names of people who are important, but we may never have heard of. Plus, Voltaire almost makes this story, kind of, autobiographical in the sense that many scenes in the book are things he really witnessed in his life.

After you read this book you cannot help, but think Voltaire really was a genius way ahead of his time...or maybe just in time!