Reviews

Candide by Voltaire

tini25's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous informative reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

sydtravis's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

amesish's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

"What is this optimism?" [...] "It is the madness of maintaining that everything is right when it is wrong."

"It is demonstrable that things cannot be otherwise than they are [...] Consequently they who assert that all is well have said a foolish thing, they should have said all is for the best."

"Candide" remains one of my favorite reads for the simple fact that amid the greatest range of horrors life can present, Pangloss (and eventually Candide) embraces an unflinching optimism generally reserved for the overwhelmingly naïve and characters in musicals. However, Pangloss' particular brand of madness is not the result of naïveté, but the result of a Buddhist-like acceptance of what is. For Pangloss, "que sera, sera" is not the "throw the hands up, throw the towel in" mantra of one who no longer cares or relinquishes any desire for control. Instead, Pangloss' optimism is an existentialist exercise in reinterpreting one's personal history to suss out purpose and promise. Genius. It's the only way to live without regrets--because "all is for the best."

flovntic's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

kimouise's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

4.5

camichan's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

“Neither you need tell me, said Candide, “that we must take care of our garden.”

qué LIBRAZO. quedé tiesa. mucho en qué pensar.

maeliee's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

paulius_b's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Skaičiau kiek kitą vertimą, bet manau, kad istorija yra šios knygos žvaigždė.
Kaip prieš 270 metų Volteras apibūdino žmones, taip ir dabar girdžiu apibūdinamus. Mes pykstamės, ginčijamės, kovojame vieni su kitais lygiai taip pat, kaip tai darė knygos visuomenė.
Tikiuosi niekada nepajusti tokio gyvenimo, kokį turėjo Kandidas, bet norėčiau patirti meilę, kuri mane stums į priekį, privers perkeliauti senąjį ir naująjį pasaulį.
Tikiuosi niekada nepatirti tokių fizinių kančių, kaip Panglosas, bet noriu taip išlaikyti savo idealus.

Visuomenė per tą laiką pasikeitė neatpažįstamai, bet individų savybės, aprašytos knygoje, išliko. Tikrai įsivaizduoju, kad viską galima perkelti iš XVIII a. Europos į šių laikų pasaulį. Šalutinius veikėjus tektų pakeisti į dabartinius, bet labai daug patirčių galima pasilikti.

elmst13's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective

4.75

salmonite's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0