Candide

Candide, ou l’Optimisme, (“Candide, or Optimism”) is a captivating picaresque novel by the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, published in 1759. Under the pseudonym “Monsieur le docteur Ralph,” Voltaire cleverly critiques the philosophy of optimism that suggests “all is for the best in this, the best of all possible worlds.” Follow the naive protagonist Candide as he embarks on a tumultuous journey filled with adventures that starkly contradict this optimistic belief. Through encounters with the infamous Pangloss, who perpetually argues that “Tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles,” readers witness the harsh realities of 18th-century life, including the catastrophic Lisbon Earthquake. Ultimately, Candide’s journey leads him to reject Panglosss philosophy, concluding with the profound realization that “Il faut cultiver notre jardin” (“It is necessary to cultivate our garden”). Summary from Wikipedia