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Candide

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Candide

By: Voltaire
Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
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Summary

In this sharp and witty tale, Candide and his tutor Pangloss journey the earth, following the philosophy: All is for the best in this, the best of all possible worlds. This adage, however, is disproved at many turns, with the characters encountering opposition to their outlook. The initially naive Candide realises some of the dark truths of the eighteenth-century world, but could there be any light at the end of the tunnel?

The reader - Andrew Sachs, famous for playing Manuel in Fawlty Towers, is one of Britain's best-love narrators. His talent for accents suits Candide perfectly.

 Classics European World Literature Funny Imperialism Middle Ages
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Critic reviews

"The brilliant unabridged narration brings out all the ironies, tragedy and exuberant comedy of this 18th-century classic."
"A classic audio in every sense."
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Tís is a very funny book at times, the hapless cadide loveable and yet detestable at times undertaking his personal journey through life is something everyone should enjoy.

Andrew Sachs is a great narrator, I'm not a huge fan of the background chapter music myself but it wouldn't dissuade me from recommending this recording

Great classic tale

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Can’t fault the story or the narration. I just wish this version didn’t have ridiculous musical interludes at the end of each chapter and section

Andrew Sachs great, musical interludes rubbish

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I struggled a bit with the book, but the delivery made it worth listening to the end. I'm glad I persevered.

A brilliant reading of an odd book

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Voltaire would have been a hoot back in the day. Big respect for him calling out religion like that, in those times, man coulda wound up with his neck on a block.

A fun and interesting short listen.

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What a strange book. I would think it was a children's book if it weren't so gruesome in parts. Romps through at a rapid pace the trek throughout the world of a silly naive man and his philosophical friends. Basically telling you, don't think too much, just work hard and enjoy life. Think Voltaire would have been quicker to just read the Bible, John 16:33 "here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world". Also found the little ditties from Saint-Saens fossils between each chapter added the the speed of the romp, and a bit unnecessary.

Tres bizarre

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