On Voltaire and "Candide"-- A Discussion with Dr. Paul LeClerc

Voltaire's tale of the youth Candide's trials, travels, and misadventures as he searches for his beloved Cunegonde was a publishing sensation in Europe in 1759. The satirical treatments of religion, sexuality, and authority made Candide both a target of censorship by the Vatican as well as a hugely popular underground success.

In this in depth discussion, Dr. Paul LeClerc, president of The New York Public Library, talks about his first encounter with the book, the first Random House publication of "Candide," and Voltaire's relevance today.

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• NYPL
• New
• York
• Public
• Library
• Candide
• Voltaire
• Paul
• LeClerc

[sidvidkid]

Government funded intellectuals always talk about "we" when looking for someone to blame for war. I reject completely this assertion, 99% of all people have nothing, and never will have anything, to do with war and its horrific results.

War is and always has been planned, instituted and instigated by a select few members of governments and their corporate bedfellows.

The insinuation of guilt onto the innocent masses by use of the term "we" is intellectually and morally dishonest.

[heyhit]

candide madame bobary forbidden? wow...

[1987Bateman]

Voltaire is one of my favourite philosophers

[1987Bateman]

Flaubert and Stendhal are also great writers

[jardenagj]

Sorry, when was Martin killed off? I'm pretty sure he is alive at the end of the book.

[sexiazn08]

He answers that right after he says it was forbidden

[keenawm]

Why was Candide on the index of forbidden boks??