Synopsis
Reprint of the first book issued by Random House and reissued to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Profusely illustrated with the work of Rockwell Kent. 111, 3 pages. cloth, slipcase.. small 4to..
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Review
Political satire doesn't age well, but occasionally a diatribe contains enough art and universal mirth to survive long after its timeliness has passed. Candide is such a book. Penned by that Renaissance man of the Enlightenment, Voltaire, Candide is steeped in the political and philosophical controversies of the 1750s. But for the general reader, the novel's driving principle is clear enough: the idea (endemic in Voltaire's day) that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and apparent folly, misery and strife are actually harbingers of a greater good we cannot perceive, is hogwash.
Telling the tale of the good-natured but star-crossed Candide (think Mr. Magoo armed with deadly force), as he travels the world struggling to be reunited with his love, Lady Cunegonde, the novel smashes such ill-conceived optimism to splinters. Candide's tutor, Dr. Pangloss, is steadfast in his philosophical good cheer, in the face of more and more fantastic misfortune; Candide's other companions always supply good sense in the nick of time. Still, as he demolishes optimism, Voltaire pays tribute to human resilience, and in doing so gives the book a pleasant indomitability common to farce. Says one character, a princess turned one-buttocked hag by unkind Fate: "I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our most melancholy propensities; for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one's very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?"--Michael Gerber
Book Description
In this new translation of Voltaire’s best-known work, distinguished translator Burton Raffel captures the irreverent spirit of Candide and renders the novel in clear, vivacious English. Stylistically superior to all predecessors, Raffel’s version now stands as the translation of choice for twenty-first-century readers.
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Candide
Seller: Your Online Bookstore, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Good. Illus. By Rockwell Kent (illustrator). Seller Inventory # 0394499034-3-36544178
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Candide
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Illus. By Rockwell Kent (illustrator). Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_443558419
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Candide
Seller: Neil Williams, Bookseller, Victoria, BC, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: F/NF. Reprint. Facsimile of the edition published in 1925, the first to be published under the Random House imprint. Light wear and soiling to slipcase, book fine. 111 pp. Seller Inventory # 21704
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Candide
Seller: Abacus Bookshop, Pittsford, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Fine copy in slipcase. Illus. by Rockwell Kent (illustrator). reprint. 4to, 111 pp. Seller Inventory # 062649
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CANDIDE
Seller: Fritz T. Brown - Books, Georgetown , MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Illus. By Rockwell Kent (illustrator). Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. This special edition of Voltaire's CANDIDE contains all of the original Rockwell Kent 110 illustrations including specially designed chapter heads. Good+ to very good condition with a good+ slipcase. Language: eng Language: eng 0.0. Seller Inventory # 01927
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Candide
Seller: Dale A. Sorenson, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Illustrated by Rockwell Kent (illustrator). Facsimile. Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. NY: Random House, 1975. Facsimile of the 1928 signed and limited edition, its 50th anniversary. 12 x 8 in. Tan cloth, gilt letters and design on red background. Book in near fine condition (tiny spot on rear cover), slipcase very good plus, some light soil spots. ISBN 0394499034; 12 x 8 inches; Unpaginated pages. Seller Inventory # 6960
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Candide
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Illus. By Rockwell Kent (illustrator). Good condition. Facsimile edition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # SB13OS-01806
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CANDIDE
Seller: Gian Luigi Fine Books, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. ROCKWELL KENT (illustrator). WITH SLIPCASE. Seller Inventory # 050272
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Candide
Seller: Jaguar 10 Books, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 1 out of 5 stars
Hard Cover. Condition: Like New. Dust Jacket Condition: Like New. Kent, Rockwell (illustrator). Slipcased edition with illustrations by Rockwell Kent. Owner's bookplate & light soiling to slipcase are the only flaws. Seller Inventory # 043452
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Candide
Seller: Strand Book Store, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Oversized Hardcover. Condition: Good. Illus. By Rockwell Kent (illustrator). Seller Inventory # 1355672