Candide

Candide is a novel written by French author Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment first published in 1759.

Candide is a relentless, brutal assault on government, society, religion, education, and, above all, optimism. Dr. Pangloss teaches his young students Candide and Cunegonde that everything in this world is for the best, a sentiment they cling to as the world steps in to teach them otherwise. 

The novel is brilliant, hilarious, blasphemous. . . and Voltaire never admitted to writing it.

François-Marie Arouet (1694-1778), known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state. Audiobook read by Ted Delorme, running time 4 hours, 2 min. Unabridged full version.