Candide

I found the first half of this book to be a good read. I enjoyed how it was a story unlike a lot of the other readings. I had a hard time believing what the tutor/philosopher Pangloss would say. Yes, I think it is good to be optimistic, but what he was saying was too much. Pangloss says everything happens for a reason and that evil is necessary in the world for balance. I also thought that the events that happened to the people in the story, Candide, Pangloss, Cunegonde, and the old woman were unlikely. I feel as though the events are over exaggerated to make for a better story and to exaggerate the philosophy of Pangloss. The book was a lot easier to understand with the footnotes given for each chapter. Some of them are for definitions but others refer to real historical figures or events. Overall, I found this reading enjoyable even though I do not agree with the philosophy in it.