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  • Candide [CSA Word]

  • By: Voltaire
  • Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
  • Length: 3 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (321 ratings)
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Candide [CSA Word] cover art

Candide [CSA Word]

By: Voltaire
Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
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Summary

Candide and his tutor, Pangloss, travel the globe trying to follow the philosophy "All is for the best in this, the best of all possible worlds". However, they are stung and let down at every turn, being robbed, tortured, and ridiculed, amongst other trials.

On hearing about their often disastrous travels, a listener feels unfortunately less than empathetic, and can't help laughing out loud at this very funny account of the trail our optimistic travellers take, and at their eternal and endearing joy at the world and its potential discoveries.

Read beautifully by Andrew Sachs.

©2007 CSA Telltapes Ltd (P)2007 CSA Telltapes Ltd

What listeners say about Candide [CSA Word]

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Tres bizarre

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

This has been on my ‘must read’/‘must hear’ for so long : i’m glad I finally did. Voltaire is a great storyteller, and it is clear that Candide is his magnum opus. Beautifully narrated by Andrew Sachs, with excellent choice of background music

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An intriguing tale ..

I will be listening to this again! There’s a lot of ideas to take in and it really is laugh out loud funny if your into philosophical irony/satire. A great voice and delivery too. Thanks Audible!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

No expectations

I picked this book on a whim, I had heard of Voltaire but had no idea or expectations of the story.
the plot was very simple, a very easy listen and I'm sure that I missed the meaning of the story but I found it a very nice way to pass 3 hours or so.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Spoiled by narration and music.

Andrew Sachs is a good actor, but as a narrator he falls foul of one of my (admittedly many) pet hates. His intakes of breath close to the microphone are very off-putting, especially if you listen on headphones as I do. I did make it through the book, but it is short, I don't think I could listen to him reading anything longer.

I know there is a case for making use of the audio format to 'enhance' readings with music and, worse, sound effects, but it is not for me. In this case it almost turned a classic satire into a cartoon.

I would have to recommend anyone considering Candide to go for a different version, and to play the samples before deciding which one best meets your requirements.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great classic tale

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

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Mad but magnificent

This story is crazy and seems illogical but somehow fuses meaningful philosophy without us even noticing. It’s definitely the funniest philosophy book I’ve ever read. The problem with all the silliness is that it’s hard to get a real connection with the characters. What stood out to me is the incredible voice acting by Andrew Sachs, sometimes I would forget that it’s just one person.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

In This The Best Of All Possible Worlds.

Who would have thought you could make philosophy funny, This is a great production and well performed by the ever reliable Andrew Sachs. Not sure what else there is to be said if you know of the story that's all you need to hear. If you don't I would urge you to give it a try it's short, moves at a fast pace and is still very funny even if a lot of the original impact have faded. The trick is not to think too hard about the practicality's but to enjoy the absurdity and remember All is for the Best in This Best of all Possible Worlds.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Candide

This tale at face value & listened too hundreds of years after it was written can seem absurd. It’s an abstract tale, a parody of optimism among many other things.
The characters represent various encounters life May bring, (such constant elusiveness & unavailability in the case of Cunegonde) It’s certainly more complex than it seems.
A master class in characterisation by Andrew Sachs.
Recommended !

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic work of philosophical pessimism

Voltaire brilliantly and charmingly exposes not just the naivety of philosophical optimists, but also their cruelty in belittling creaturely suffering by appealing to some kind of cosmic or divine goodness or order. This book shows why the dreadfulness of life cannot and should not be ignored or denied, and that the virtue of a philosophical pessimism lies in its compassion and consolation.

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