I picked up Zadig expecting a dusty old fable and got a whirlwind of sarcasm, adventure, and philosophical gut-punches. It’s short, fast, and never boring.

The Story

Zadig is a good man in Babylon, blessed with intelligence and a kind heart. But his life is a comedy of errors. He correctly deduces who stole the queen’s dog, and is accused of theft. He wins an archery contest through sheer logic, and makes dangerous enemies. He finds true love, only to have it snatched away by absurd twists of fate. The story follows his rollercoaster journey through deserts and palaces, as he’s buffeted from disaster to brief triumph and back again, all while asking a simple question: why do bad things happen to good people?

Why You Should Read It

Voltaire’s wit is the star here. He uses Zadig’s misadventures to poke fun at everything—judges, doctors, priests, and arrogant rulers. Behind the satire is a real heart. You feel for Zadig as he tries to make sense of a world that seems brutally unfair. It’s not preachy; it’s a series of “can you believe this?” moments that slowly build into a powerful idea about resilience and finding your own meaning.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who enjoys clever satire, historical fiction that feels fresh, or a protagonist you can’t help but root for. If you like the idea of Candide but want something with a slightly more focused plot, start here. It’s a brilliant, bite-sized classic that proves some questions—and some jokes—are truly timeless.