If you enjoy reading books by Voltaire then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Voltaire might also appreciate Alexander Pope, an English poet and satirist known for his sharp wit and profound insights on society.
His mock-heroic poem, “The Rape of the Lock,” humorously portrays a trivial event—a lock of hair stolen from a young woman—as an epic battle of honor.
Set in fashionable London society, the poem playfully exposes vanity and superficiality, highlighting human follies through clever satire and irony.
Pope’s sharp humor and social commentary have similarities to Voltaire’s style, making his work appealing to readers interested in witty critiques of society’s absurdities.
Readers who enjoy Voltaire’s witty and clear approach to philosophy might appreciate Scottish philosopher David Hume. Hume is known for his sharp skepticism and clever questioning of accepted beliefs.
His book “An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding” seeks to uncover how we actually gain knowledge. He challenges the reader by suggesting that much of what we consider certain is not as solid as we think.
For instance, he raises interesting questions about cause and effect and asks if our minds create relationships that aren’t truly there. Hume approaches complicated ideas with clarity and humor, making profound philosophy easy to digest and enjoyable to read.
If you enjoy Voltaire’s wit and sharp social observations, you might appreciate Denis Diderot’s works. Diderot was a French philosopher and writer in the 18th century, known for his lively explorations of society, morality, and human nature.
His novella “Jacques the Fatalist” follows Jacques and his master on their journey. Throughout their travels, Jacques argues that everything happening to them is predestined, while his master remains skeptical.
Their lively debates, humorous mishaps, and amusing encounters bring up thoughtful questions about free will, fate, and the absurdity of life. Diderot’s sharp wit and playful storytelling style create scenes that are both funny and thought-provoking.
Readers who enjoy Voltaire’s sharp wit and insightful critiques of society might also appreciate Jean-Jacques Rousseau, another influential philosopher of the Enlightenment era. Rousseau offers thought-provoking takes on society, freedom, and human nature.
His book “The Social Contract” examines the relationship between individuals and governments, asking how people can remain free while still agreeing to authority.
Rousseau challenges traditional views and proposes that true legitimacy of power relies on the collective good and the general will of the people. This provocative perspective influenced political thought for generations and remains relevant today.
Books by Jonathan Swift offer sharp wit and clever satire that readers of Voltaire would appreciate. In “Gulliver’s Travels,” Swift presents the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship surgeon who finds himself stranded in bizarre lands after being shipwrecked.
Gulliver encounters the tiny inhabitants of Lilliput, argumentative, power-hungry creatures who parody human politics and vanity. Later, he meets giants in Brobdingnag, where he becomes a spectacle himself, subjected to examination and curiosity.
Through Gulliver’s unexpected journeys, Swift humorously criticizes society, government, and human pride, showing readers the absurdities hidden within common human practices. The humor is sharp, and the commentary thoughtful.
If you’ve enjoyed Voltaire’s famous “Candide,” exploring Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” could be equally satisfying.
If you enjoy Voltaire’s sharp criticism of societal norms and authoritative institutions, Thomas Paine might catch your interest too. Paine was an influential thinker and writer in the 18th century who challenged traditional structures and championed personal liberty.
His book “Common Sense” argues clearly and passionately for American independence from Britain. Paine lays out bold arguments against monarchy and advocates powerfully for democratic government.
His straightforward style and fearless approach make this short book an impactful read, especially if you appreciate Voltaire’s ability to question established ideas.
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher known for his sharp insights into reason, morality, and human knowledge. If you enjoy the philosophy and satirical wit of Voltaire, Kant’s “Critique of Pure Reason” could catch your interest.
In this challenging yet rewarding book, Kant explores the limits and possibilities of human understanding. He carefully questions what the human mind can know and how it understands the world around it.
Kant’s reasoning and systematic approach examine both rationalist and empiricist views, leading him toward a fresh interpretation of what knowledge really means.
While Voltaire often used wit and satire to explore similar questions on philosophy and society, Kant offers clarity through rigorous logic. If you liked Voltaire’s thoughtful explorations, Kant’s detailed examination of human reason could also captivate you.
John Locke was an English philosopher known for his clear, thoughtful ideas on human rights, liberty, and government. In his book “Two Treatises of Government,” Locke argues against absolute monarchy and presents a strong case for people’s right to freedom and self-rule.
He believes governments exist with the consent of the governed, not through divine authority. These ideas deeply influenced Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire, who admired Locke’s belief in reason, liberty, and individual rights.
Anyone who enjoys Voltaire’s critical yet clear approach will likely find Locke’s arguments similarly accessible and engaging.
Books by Molière often poke fun at social pretensions and expose human hypocrisy, with humor and sharp wit reminiscent of Voltaire. In his play “Tartuffe,” Molière tells the story of a religious impostor who deceives a gullible nobleman, Orgon, disrupting the entire household.
Tartuffe pretends piety and humility while secretly plotting for his own gain. As the plot unfolds, Orgon’s family desperately tries to expose Tartuffe’s true nature, leading to comic misunderstandings and clever dialogue.
Fans of Voltaire’s satire and keen observations on human nature will appreciate Molière’s amusing portrait of duplicity and gullibility in society.
If you enjoy Voltaire’s sharp wit and critical take on society, you’ll likely appreciate Montesquieu, another influential voice of the Enlightenment.
In his classic work “The Persian Letters,” Montesquieu uses humor and satire to explore European customs through the eyes of two Persian travelers.
As they journey through France, the Persian visitors exchange letters filled with keen and humorous observations, revealing truths Europeans might otherwise overlook. Montesquieu’s sharp insights will remind readers of the clever social criticism found in Voltaire’s works.
Books by Mary Wollstonecraft often focus on reason, equality, and human rights—topics familiar to readers who enjoy Voltaire. Wollstonecraft was an influential thinker in the late 18th century, known mostly for her groundbreaking work “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.”
In this powerful essay, she argues passionately for the education and equal treatment of women. She responds directly to philosophers and writers of her time who claimed women were naturally inferior.
Wollstonecraft reasoned through sharp critique and clear logic to challenge these assumptions head-on.
If you appreciate Voltaire’s critical approach to social norms and his profound belief in rational thinking, Wollstonecraft’s compelling arguments in support of equality and reason will surely resonate with you.
Readers who appreciate Voltaire’s wit and sharp social commentary will likely enjoy Pierre Beaumarchais. Known for his clever dialogues and humorous critiques of society, Beaumarchais expertly blends satire and intrigue.
One of his best-known plays, “The Marriage of Figaro,” follows Figaro, a quick-thinking servant whose upcoming wedding becomes complicated when his employer, Count Almaviva, tries to sabotage it due to his interest in Figaro’s fiancée.
Full of wit, disguise, misunderstandings, and social satire, the story unfolds as characters navigate class differences, power struggles, and clever deception. Beaumarchais’ lively narrative and sharp observations reveal the humorous absurdities of 18th-century society.
Readers who enjoy Voltaire’s sharp wit and clear thinking might appreciate Adam Smith. Smith was a Scottish philosopher and economist from the 18th century known for his insightful observations on human nature and society.
His book “The Wealth of Nations” examines economic systems, free markets, and individual choices with clarity and practical examples.
Smith explains concepts like the division of labor through everyday situations, such as how a factory making pins increases efficiency by dividing tasks. The book portrays economics as something deeply connected to ordinary life and society rather than abstract ideas.
For anyone interested in clear, thought-provoking views on how societies function, Adam Smith offers valuable and enjoyable reading.
If you enjoy Voltaire for his philosophical storytelling and sharp wit, you might appreciate Albert Camus, whose books explore life’s absurdity and human existence through clear and powerful narratives.
In “The Stranger,” Camus tells the story of Meursault, a man detached from social expectations and emotions. A senseless crime and Meursault’s indifferent reaction lead him to face a society puzzled by his lack of conventional feelings and moral views.
The story invites readers to question society’s definitions of meaning, justice, and morality, themes that Voltaire fans might find thoughtful and engaging.
Baron de Montesquieu was a French philosopher known for his sharp wit and thoughtful commentary on political and social issues. If you’re a fan of Voltaire’s satirical style and critical insight, Montesquieu’s “Persian Letters” might appeal to you.
The book follows two Persian travelers, Usbek and Rica, who visit France and comment on European customs, government, and society through letters home. The travelers’ letters cleverly point out the absurdities and contradictions within French life, culture, and institutions.
This approach allows readers to see familiar customs from a fresh, humorous perspective, similar to Voltaire’s satirical works.
The lively observations on religious intolerance, political structures, and human vanity in “Persian Letters” can engage readers who enjoy sharp social commentary.