David and Josh-- Candide question #2

Candide was widely opposed by the upper class, specifically government and church officials. It was only later widely accepted because of its sharp wit and insightfulness into the human condition. Because of his fears of bad reception, Voltaire originally didn't take credit for Candide, rather he wrote under a pseudonym. In 1762, Candide appeared on the Roman Catholic Church's list of banned books. It was mostly denounced by political and religious leaders, the religious leaders calling it blasphemous. However, Candide succeeded in becoming the best selling novel the year it came out. This shows that Candide was widely accepted by the middle and lower classes, it's main audience. These classes supported the novel because it satirized the people that persecuted them, the Church and the government.