
Kandude or Optimism in Our Time
by Diogenes III
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Pub Date Sep 30 2024 | Archive Date Jan 16 2025
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Description
A Candide for our times. Kandude is a cloistered young man of great privilege and education, held in naïve thrall to the neoliberal optimism of his mentor Professor Bloughgazz. But when events cast him out into the “best of all possible worlds” he encounters the cruel forces of the modern marketplace, the rage of Sovereign Citizens determined to take back White Christian America, and the idolatry and absolutism of religious forces arrayed to impose theocracy in America. He meets political grifters who exploit the ignorant, the foolish and the desperate, and witnesses the smug entitlement of plutocrats.
In a daunting journey of discovery that traverses political backrooms, the southern border, redoubts of militant extremists, and fundamentalist churches, Kandude is forced to confront his own callow beliefs about the social and political forces of America in the 21st Century.
Available Editions
ISBN | 9780529780529 |
PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

Buckle up, because Kandude is a wild ride through the circus we call modern America! This book had me laughing, cringing, and shaking my head at just how spot-on it was. From clueless rich kids to rage-fueled extremists, it feels like every crazy headline I’ve ever read rolled into one epic story. Kandude’s journey is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re ready to dive into a satire that doesn’t pull punches, this one’s for you! 🎪📖💥

Kandude or Optimism in Our Time is a sharp, satirical journey through the tangled mess of America. Following Kandude’s reluctant adventure out of privilege, the book brilliantly skewers neoliberal optimism, political grifters, and religious extremism with biting wit and unsettling accuracy. I loved how the story balanced its absurd humor with moments of real poignancy—Kandude’s transformation feels both timely and timeless. This is a great read if you enjoy political satire that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths while still keeping you thoroughly entertained.