Voltaire was an 18th-century French writer and philosopher known for clever satire. His famous works such as Candide challenged social norms and advocated for freedom of thought, religion, and expression.
If you enjoy reading books by Voltaire then you might also like the following authors:
Jonathan Swift is a master of sharp wit and biting satire. Like Voltaire, he employs humor and irony to challenge society and authority.
His famous work, Gulliver's Travels, cleverly uses fantastic voyages to distant lands to critique the politics, human flaws, and absurdities of his time. Readers who enjoyed Voltaire's satirical outlook will surely appreciate Swift's approach.
Denis Diderot shares Voltaire's spirit of Enlightenment thought and critical reasoning.
As one of the main figures of the Enlightenment era, his writings frequently targeted established institutions and traditional beliefs, emphasizing reason, tolerance, and intellectual freedom.
His novel Jacques the Fatalist explores philosophical themes of free will, fate, and morality in a playful, imaginative style—a rewarding read for anyone who enjoys Voltaire's philosophical reflections.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau addresses social and philosophical questions in his work, although his approach often contrasts with Voltaire's sharp satire. Rousseau emphasizes sincerity, introspection, and emotion in discussing society, nature, and human relationships.
In his influential treatise The Social Contract, Rousseau explores democracy, freedom, and the relationship between citizens and government. If you liked Voltaire's critical take on societal structures, Rousseau's profound thinking on similar topics will appeal to you.
George Orwell, much like Voltaire, uses satire and storytelling to expose social and political injustice. Orwell's clear prose and direct style help him deliver powerful critiques, notably in his book Animal Farm.
Through a simple narrative about animals overthrowing their human owner, Orwell compellingly exposes corruption, propaganda, and tyranny. Readers who appreciate Voltaire's clarity, social criticism, and memorable characters will find Orwell's writing just as effective.
Aldous Huxley explores themes of society, technology, and individual freedom. Like Voltaire, he frequently raises important philosophical questions about human nature, happiness, and progress.
In Brave New World, Huxley imagines a dystopian society controlled by technology, conditioning, and consumerism. Fans of Voltaire's thought-provoking critiques of society will enjoy Huxley's insightful writing and cautionary messages.
Kurt Vonnegut mixes dark humor and sharp satire to highlight humanity's absurdities. His writing often tackles war, society, and human folly without losing its playful touch.
In Slaughterhouse-Five, Vonnegut explores the tragic comedy of war through Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who becomes "unstuck in time," vividly showing life's absurd and unpredictable nature.
Joseph Heller excels at creating biting humor that cuts deeply into bureaucracy and human irrationality. His most famous work, Catch-22, portrays military life as a maze of circular logic and madness, where soldiers struggle against nonsensical regulations.
Like Voltaire, he uses absurd situations to make readers laugh while highlighting deeper issues.
Mark Twain employs wit and satire to expose human foolishness, corruption, and hypocrisy. His style is straightforward but filled with humor and sharp insights on society and morality.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn shows Twain's talent for questioning social conventions through the unforgettable friendship of Huck and Jim on the Mississippi River.
Oscar Wilde is famous for his clever wit and sharp social commentary. His writing effortlessly exposes society’s superficiality and hypocrisy with playful charm.
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explores vanity, corruption, and moral duplicity through the mysterious story of a young man who trades his soul for endless youth.
Anatole France uses sharp wit and irony to illustrate human weakness and challenge social institutions. His writing is elegant and subtly humorous, often questioning traditional beliefs and values.
In The Gods Are Athirst, France offers a satirical yet sobering view of power and fanaticism during the French Revolution, reminding readers of humanity's tendency toward excess and folly.
Albert Camus explores philosophical ideas in clear, accessible language, just like Voltaire. He questions life's absurdity and complexity through engaging stories.
In his novel The Stranger, Camus portrays a detached young man whose life becomes a reflection on existentialism and the irrational nature of existence.
George Bernard Shaw is famous for witty dialogue and satirical plays that challenge social conventions, much as Voltaire did through his sharp writing. He uses humor and clever plots to criticize hypocrisy and injustice.
His play Pygmalion humorously explores class divisions and questions societal expectations.
Montesquieu shares Voltaire's passion for critiquing society and its institutions. He writes clearly and directly, analyzing government structures and cultural differences.
His influential work The Spirit of the Laws examines political systems and argues strongly for the need to separate power within a government.
Laurence Sterne is playful, experimental, and deeply satirical, traits readers who enjoy Voltaire will appreciate.
In his novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Sterne humorously narrates the chaotic and quirky life story of his protagonist, mixing satire with a sense of absurdity about human affairs.
Nikolai Gogol writes humorously and satirically about human failings, pointing out society's absurdities and injustices, similar to Voltaire's style. Gogol's short story The Nose tells an absurd tale about a man's nose running off on its own.
It's strange, insightful, and funny, much like the biting satire of Voltaire.