Candide by Voltaire

I had all kinds of trouble writing this review. I just couldn't decide which approach to take. The subject was so rich in matters of context, themes and associations.

I spent the last weekend overdosing on Kurt Vonnegut novels (see my previous review). One of Vonnegut's recurring themes is: how are we to act in a meaningless universe? It is the great humanist question. Voltaire had a crack at answering it in the 18th century. His answer, at least according to the character Candide, was: Il faut cultiver notre jardin - "We must cultivate our garden".

This recommendation is reminiscent of one of the parables told by Jesus, the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30). Life, then, is all about improving on the hands we were dealt at birth. For the Christian, we must do this because God requires it of us. For some humanists, we must do it because there is nothing better to do in life.

Candide is the story of the eponymous hero and the people in his life. Candide is young and enamoured of lust, love and life. He has been steeped in the philosophy of his tutor Dr Pangloss. Pangloss teaches that everything that happens in our universe is always the most desirable outcome - "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds".

Candide and company then endure the worst events that the world can throw at them on three continents: earthquakes, executions and disfigurements. Finally, they settle on a farm on the Bosporus in Turkey. While Dr Pangloss is as optimistic as ever, Candide is far less enchanted with Panglossian philosophy. "We must cultivate our garden," he says. His manservant Martin adds: "We must work without arguing ... That is the only way to make life bearable."

Publishing details: Candide by Voltaire (Penguin, London. Translation by John Butt first published 1947, pp.144.)