Candide (or Optimism) is a satirical novel about the French enlightenment. The story centers around a young man named Candide and his journey through adulthood. Candide has been taught by his tutor, Pangloss, to believe all that happens is for the best. Candide struggles while traveling the world with holding onto his teachings. Candide and his various friends and acquaintances encounter many trials that test Candide's beliefs, but even after natural disasters, diseases, and even murder, Candide still thinks these things are for the best. 
 While this novel addresses some intense issues, there is still a great deal of comic relief from the silliness of the characters at times, especially from Candide and Pangloss. You also can't help but laugh at the many misinterpretations that happen throughout the novel. The humor is one of my favorite things about the book. Voltaire is able to address pressing matters and concerns from that time period in a comical way that many people can understand. In a way, the novel reminded me of today's television sitcoms. Each chapter was like a different episode where the characters encounter the most ridiculous situations and normally have to handle them in a way that is funny to the audience. Especially when Voltaire made you think a character was dead, and then a few chapters later they are found alive with some elaborate, bizarre story to tell. 
 The comedic, satirical nature of the story immediately drew me in, and this is definitely a novel I would recommend to many people who normally aren't inclined to more dramatic novels. It was a nice, fun read, and I really loved reading it. 
 (Reviewed for my World Literature class.) 
 8/1001.