Candide, Voltaire’s biting satire, follows the naïve young man Candide on a whirlwind journey across continents, facing war, disaster, and human folly. Guided by the optimistic teachings of his mentor, Pangloss, Candide confronts the harsh realities of life while searching for the meaning of happiness. This razor-sharp critique of blind optimism, religion, and societal corruption remains one of the most enduring works of the Enlightenment, blending wit, adventure, and philosophical insight.