#candide

by Voltaire

What’s it about?

It’s a comedy published in 1759 about a French idiot convinced that everything is amazing, despite the fact that his life takes an increasingly unfortunate series of turns. Although if you’ve read Game of Thrones and you can’t handle a character having the worst luck imaginable, you should present yourself to the relevant authorities at first light.  

That doesn’t sound funny. That sounds sad.

It’s not sad at all. It was written specifically as a response to an assertion by German scientist and philosopher, Gottfried Leibniz, that despite all the horrible stuff, we must necessarily be living in “the best of all possible worlds”, because God wouldn’t allow anything else.

That might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

Voltaire agrees. This book is basically a short novel version of “this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard”. 

What should I say to make people think I’ve read it?

[Any reference to “Pococurante” or doing something “to encourage the others”.]

What should I avoid saying when trying to convince people I’ve read it?

“Things could be worse.”

Should I actually read it?

Yes. It’s very funny. Like not “funny for the time”. It’s just funny.