Cunegonde and the Lost Beloved

From Candide by Voltaire
Candide's quixotic pursuit of the baron's daughter Cunegonde drives the plot; she is repeatedly raped, sold, and disfigured, undercutting romantic idealism.
Chapter 1

Introduction of Cunegonde, the seventeen-year-old daughter of the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh, and the famous kiss behind the screen.

Read in Books4Free →
Chapter 8

Cunegonde recounts the sack of the castle, her violation by Bulgarian soldiers, and being shared between a Jew and the Grand Inquisitor.

Read in Books4Free →
Chapter 29

Candide is shocked to find Cunegonde grown ugly but marries her out of obligation.

Read in Books4Free →

Read or Listen to Candide on Books4Free

Every chapter free to read. Free audio narration on the opening chapter. Plus an AI study assistant that knows the book.

Open in Books4Free →
X Facebook