Voltaire's, Candide (ISBN 978-1-59308-028-0, 130 Pages, Translated by Henry Morley) is what many consider to be a venerated book detailing themes and theories consistent with the age of enlightnement and western literature. Voltaire glorifies reason and empiricism at the expense of optimism, blind faith, and societal institutions like religion and government. However, is it a true classic? Scholars and authors disagree to this day and William Bottiglia dubiously penned the phrase labeling Candide as a 'miniature classic'.
The fictional satire follows Candide of Westphalia through adventures that are comprised of true occurrences in the world and fictional odysseys such as the city of El Dorado. All the while tragedy after tragedy befalls our hero and the people surrounding him, making him stretch to justify his teacher Pangloss' philosophy of optimism and eventually question that mindset. Some events that transpire include: Candide's conscription into the army, the earthquake at Lisbon, an inquisition in Portugal that hangs dear Pangloss, the prostitution of Candide's beloved Cunegonde, and the discovery of El Dorado.
Voltaire's tale is short, humorous, and meaningful with constant quips directed at his contemporaries and critics. Despite the profound and poignant criticism of optimism and blind faith, the rapidity of the adventure both defines and hurts its impact. The very fact that Voltaire seeks to undermine and satirize traditional writing methods makes his own style the anti-classic rather than a miniature masterpiece. Perhaps I would presume too much in saying that he would appreciate this definition rather than others labeling it as a lesser version of some other bona fide novel due to its size.
Please do read the introduction by Gita May. Informative and analytical, she does an exemplary job of introducing and explaining the tale that will follow and how it connects with Voltaire's life and personal points of view.
I would personally recommend that most if not all should read this tale. The wit and style find their way into today's modern works and have influenced quite a few great minds. Just remember, far from falling short to the classics of antiquity and canon of modern day, Candide should honestly be considered an anti-classic set aside from any comparisons to larger traditional tales. It has been established as and most likely is the precursor and father to a category all its own.
