Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Candide
- Author: Voltaire
- Narrator: Michael Scott
- Length: 04:33:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2007
- Publisher: Thought Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Philosophy, Classics
- ISBN13: SABTAXX978019
There’s a particular magic that happens when a timeless philosophical satire meets the right narrator’s voice. I discovered this while listening to Michael Scott’s performance of “Candide” during a long bus ride through the Andes, where the stark beauty of the mountains provided an ironic counterpoint to Voltaire’s tale of relentless optimism meeting brutal reality. The audiobook experience became my travel companion, its wit and wisdom unfolding against a backdrop that felt strangely appropriate for this story of journey and disillusionment.
Voltaire’s 1759 masterpiece needs little introduction to literature lovers, but hearing it aloud reveals new dimensions. The story follows our hopelessly naive protagonist Candide as he’s ejected from his sheltered existence and thrust into a world that systematically dismantles his tutor Pangloss’s Leibnizian optimism (‘all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds’). What unfolds is a picaresque tour of human suffering – war, natural disasters, religious hypocrisy, and institutional corruption – delivered with Voltaire’s signature biting wit.
Michael Scott’s narration captures the delicate balance between the story’s surface-level absurdity and its profound philosophical underpinnings. His performance reminds me of those evenings in Oaxaca listening to abuelita’s stories – there’s a similar mastery of timing, a knowing wink in the delivery that makes the satire land perfectly. When Candide witnesses the Lisbon earthquake (which actually occurred in 1755 and deeply influenced Voltaire), Scott’s understated delivery makes the horror more impactful. He understands that Voltaire’s genius lies in stating atrocities matter-of-factly, letting the irony speak for itself.
The audiobook format particularly shines in capturing Voltaire’s rapid-fire pacing. Scenes that might take minutes to read fly by in seconds – Candide is hanged, drawn, quartered, and resurrected before you can catch your breath. Scott keeps up admirably, his crisp enunciation ensuring no barbed commentary gets lost in the shuffle. I found myself rewinding certain passages, not because I missed the words, but to savor how perfectly Scott delivers lines like ‘If this is the best of possible worlds, what then are the others?’
What struck me most during this listening experience was how contemporary “Candide” feels. As someone who’s witnessed both the breathtaking kindness and shocking cruelty of people across six continents, Voltaire’s observations about human nature ring painfully true. The audiobook made me recall a conversation with a Syrian refugee in Jordan who, when asked about his optimism, replied much like Candide’s final realization: ‘We must cultivate our garden.’ Michael Scott delivers this iconic closing line with just the right mix of weariness and resolve, letting Voltaire’s pragmatic philosophy shine through.
Compared to other satirical classics I’ve enjoyed in audio form – Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” or Heller’s “Catch-22” – “Candide” stands out for its combination of brevity and density. At under four hours, it’s a compact listen, but every scene serves multiple purposes: advancing the plot, developing themes, and landing satirical blows. The audiobook’s pacing helps maintain the frenetic energy that might flag in print.
If I had one critique, it’s that some listeners might miss the footnotes and historical context that scholarly editions provide. Voltaire packed his tale with contemporary references that would have been immediately recognizable to 18th-century readers but may require modern listeners to do some supplemental research. That said, Scott’s expressive reading often provides clues through tone and emphasis where textual annotations might be needed.
For those new to “Candide”, this free audiobook version is an excellent entry point. The combination of Voltaire’s timeless wit and Scott’s engaging narration makes complex philosophical ideas accessible without diluting their power. And for returning readers, hearing the text aloud offers fresh insights – I caught new layers of sarcasm in passages I’d previously read straight.
As a travel writer, I’m always drawn to stories about journeys, both physical and philosophical. “Candide” delivers both in spades, and this audiobook version makes the perfect companion for your own travels, whether you’re crossing continents or just commuting to work. There’s something profoundly comforting about hearing this Enlightenment-era takedown of blind optimism while navigating our own chaotic world – a reminder that while we may not live in ‘the best of all possible worlds,’ we can still find meaning in the tending of our own gardens.
With wanderlust and words,
Marcus Rivera
