Candide

The classic exploration of whether we live in the "best possible world," and whether all that happens is for the best - or not. Candide is characterized by its sarcastic tone and its erratic, fantastical, and fast-moving plot. As expected by Voltaire, Candide has enjoyed both great success and great scandal. Immediately after its secretive publication, the book was widely banned because it contained religious blasphemy, political sedition and intellectual hostility.