Zadig or the Book of Fate

Voltaire (1694-1778) was one of the central figures of the French Enlightenment: a philosopher, historian, playwright and tireless critic of intolerance. Zadig, or The Book of Fate (in French, Zadig, ou La Destinée) is one of his philosophical tales, a form he used to bring serious ideas to a wide audience through narrative and wit. It is usually dated to the late 1740s.

The setting is ancient Babylon, but the author makes no effort at historical accuracy; the East is a convenient stage on which to examine European habits and assumptions. Zadig himself is a thoughtful, honest man, and the plot puts him through a series of reversals that test both his character and his belief in justice. Along the way Voltaire enjoys himself with courts, priests, rival sages and the strange workings of chance.

The tale is brief and moves at a lively pace. Its themes are the limits of human understanding and the difficulty of finding a rational order in events, which are questions that remain open for readers today. The irony is light, and the story never becomes a lecture.

This recording, made by LibriVox volunteers in nineteen files, begins with the front matter and lasts nearly four hours. It is a fine introduction to Voltaire for anyone who has not yet read him. The chapters are brief, and many of them are self-contained episodes, so the book can be heard in small portions without losing the thread. Those who enjoy philosophical fiction will find it a useful companion to other works of the period, and those who simply like a quick story will find plenty to enjoy.