Voltaire matters Ten keys to voltaire
In our time —early 21st century— one may ask, why the infatuation with Voltaire—a mad egomaniac, condescending, patronizing, and shameless self-promoter author? Why do we keep reading his works, but particularly his Zadig and his Candide? The answer is simple: for his ideas and for the freshness with which he clothed them. He is fun to read. While he mocked the dogmas and clichés of his time with vitriol and hatred, he did it without being pious, and sanctimonious.
Today he remains a much beloved figure. Hence, my interest in revisiting Candide.