Description

Book Synopsis

''The prince of philosophical novels'' John Updike

In Candide, Voltaire threw down an audacious challenge to the philosophical views of the Enlightenment to create one of the most glorious satires of the eighteenth century. His eponymous hero is an innocent young man whose tutor, Pangloss, has instilled in him the belief that ''all is for the best''. But when his love for the Baron''s rosy-cheeked daughter is discovered, Candide is cast out to make his own fortune. As he and his various companions roam over the world, an outrageous series of disasters - earthquakes, syphilis, the Inquisition - sorely test the young hero''s optimism, holding a mirror up to all fanatics, zealots and moral reformers of humankind.

Translated and Edited by Theo Cuffe with an Introduction by Michael Wood



Trade Review
Winner of the 2012 Fifty Books/Fifty Covers show, organized by Design Observer in association with AIGA and Designers & Books

Winner of the 2014 Type Directors Club Communication Design Award

Praise for Penguin Drop Caps:

"[Penguin Drop Caps] convey a sense of nostalgia for the tactility and aesthetic power of a physical book and for a centuries-old tradition of beautiful lettering."
Fast Company

“Vibrant, minimalist new typographic covers…. Bonus points for the heartening gender balance of the initial selections.”
—Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

"The Penguin Drop Caps series is a great example of the power of design. Why buy these particular classics when there are less expensive, even free editions of Great Expectations? Because they’re beautiful objects. Paul Buckley and Jessica Hische’s fresh approach to the literary classics reduces the design down to typography and color. Each cover is foil-stamped with a cleverly illustrated letterform that reveals an element of the story. Jane Austen’s A (Pride and Prejudice) is formed by opulent peacock feathers and Charlotte Bronte’s B (Jane Eyre) is surrounded by flames. The complete set forms a rainbow spectrum prettier than anything else on your bookshelf."
—Rex Bonomelli, The New York Times

"Drool-inducing."
Flavorwire

"Classic reads in stunning covers—your book club will be dying."
Redbook

Candide or Optimism

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Dec 2025.

A Paperback / softback by Francois Voltaire, Theo Cuffe, Theo Cuffe

15 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Candide or Optimism by Francois Voltaire

    Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
    Publication Date: 25/05/2006
    ISBN13: 9780140455106, 978-0140455106
    ISBN10: 0140455108
    Also in:
    Satire & Humour

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    ''The prince of philosophical novels'' John Updike

    In Candide, Voltaire threw down an audacious challenge to the philosophical views of the Enlightenment to create one of the most glorious satires of the eighteenth century. His eponymous hero is an innocent young man whose tutor, Pangloss, has instilled in him the belief that ''all is for the best''. But when his love for the Baron''s rosy-cheeked daughter is discovered, Candide is cast out to make his own fortune. As he and his various companions roam over the world, an outrageous series of disasters - earthquakes, syphilis, the Inquisition - sorely test the young hero''s optimism, holding a mirror up to all fanatics, zealots and moral reformers of humankind.

    Translated and Edited by Theo Cuffe with an Introduction by Michael Wood



    Trade Review
    Winner of the 2012 Fifty Books/Fifty Covers show, organized by Design Observer in association with AIGA and Designers & Books

    Winner of the 2014 Type Directors Club Communication Design Award

    Praise for Penguin Drop Caps:

    "[Penguin Drop Caps] convey a sense of nostalgia for the tactility and aesthetic power of a physical book and for a centuries-old tradition of beautiful lettering."
    Fast Company

    “Vibrant, minimalist new typographic covers…. Bonus points for the heartening gender balance of the initial selections.”
    —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

    "The Penguin Drop Caps series is a great example of the power of design. Why buy these particular classics when there are less expensive, even free editions of Great Expectations? Because they’re beautiful objects. Paul Buckley and Jessica Hische’s fresh approach to the literary classics reduces the design down to typography and color. Each cover is foil-stamped with a cleverly illustrated letterform that reveals an element of the story. Jane Austen’s A (Pride and Prejudice) is formed by opulent peacock feathers and Charlotte Bronte’s B (Jane Eyre) is surrounded by flames. The complete set forms a rainbow spectrum prettier than anything else on your bookshelf."
    —Rex Bonomelli, The New York Times

    "Drool-inducing."
    Flavorwire

    "Classic reads in stunning covers—your book club will be dying."
    Redbook

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