Voltaire's Romances

Voltaire's 1759 masterpiece follows young Candide through wars, shipwrecks, the Lisbon earthquake and the Inquisition while his tutor insists this is the best of all possible worlds. The funniest attack on blind optimism ever written.

Voltaire

A wise young Babylonian keeps losing everything he gains, from his bride to his freedom, in this 1747 oriental tale. Voltaire turns each misfortune into a sharp lesson on fate, justice and the folly of judging by appearances.

Voltaire

A giant from the star Sirius and his companion from Saturn land on Earth and are stunned by the pride of its tiny inhabitants. Voltaire's 1752 tale is one of the first works of science fiction and a short lesson in humility.

Voltaire

Short tales and dialogues from the 1901 Fleming translation, including Memnon the Philosopher, The Two Comforters and A Conversation with a Chinese. Quick, biting pieces where Voltaire mocks fanaticism, vanity and blind faith.

Voltaire