The Canon Library
Cover of Candide

Enlightenment · Satirical novella

Candide

by Voltaire. A naïve young man’s global disasters demolish easy optimism and conclude with the practical need to cultivate one’s garden.

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Date
1759
Origin
France
Era
Enlightenment
Genre
Satirical novella
Canon tier
Essential core
Difficulty
Accessible
Length
Short
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

Why it matters

A naïve young man’s global disasters demolish easy optimism and conclude with the practical need to cultivate one’s garden.

This work is included on the basis of great books / bloom. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

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