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Candide and Zadig
- Narrated by: Clive Chafer
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories
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Summary
These two classic coming-of-age stories by Voltaire parody the romanticism of his day with the ruthless wit that has made him the undisputed master of social commentary.
Candide, which is alternately titled Optimism, is a merciless satire and exposé of the ideas and institutions men live by. In this philosophical fantasy, the naïve Candide comes to witness and to suffer such misfortune that he rejects the philosophy of his tutor, Dr. Pangloss, who claims that “all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.”
Zadig is the story of another optimist—young, rich, beautiful, and engaged to a woman he loves. When his early hopes and assets are destroyed, he embarks on a journey that will systematically explore science, religion, and the military, contributing to each, betrayed by all. Through these trials, he will eventually win the kingdom of Babylon.
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Tone
- 14-05-22
Disappointingly dull and aged yarn.
I expected more from Voltaire.
what we have is an overly drawn out, somewhat ludicrous, medieval farce, satiring Leibniz' Theodicy of "The best possible world".
Not helped by a dreadfully dreary and robotic narration.
"Ivanhoe" for philosophers.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Linda Neave
- 11-05-22
Worth a Listen
Written in yee oldie English I am not denying it was hard going but I am glad I took the trouble to listen to some of Voltaire’s work.
Unlike some of the reviews I did get used to Clive Chafer’s narration.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- joe
- 16-02-18
The Narrator Saps the Joy
What disappointed you about Candide and Zadig?
The narrator saps the joy from the piece, making it unlistenable to
What did you like best about this story?
I've been told it's very good and seemed funny
Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Clive Chafer?
Interesting question; probably Johnathan Cecil, he'd get the comedy just right
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jdk
- 29-09-20
The Source of Modern Literature
Voltaire's Candide, more than any other work of prose, has influenced my life. This homily of friendship, love, and virtue provides humour, solace, and wise guidance in a too frequently harsh and inexplicable world.
Zadig, an earlier work, extends the limits of what then was literature. I also wonder if it's content, meaning and style influenced Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marje
- 17-06-11
Two Beautifully-read Masterpieces
Clive Chafer interprets the satire, humor and wit of Voltaire beautifully. This was a delightful listen!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rolando Jr. P Sampaga
- 16-10-20
Best narrating ever!
I liked the stories of both books and the narrating was the best I've heard. Big props to the narrator.
