Voltaire 
The Sincere Huron 

Voltaire’s ‘The Sincere Huron’ is a satirical novella that critiques the social and political norms of 18th-century France. Through the story of a young Huron man who travels to Europe and encounters various absurdities, Voltaire addresses themes of colonization, cultural clash, and the hypocrisy of European society. Written in a witty and humorous style, the novella employs irony and sarcasm to expose the irrationality of the Enlightenment era. The use of satire allows Voltaire to cleverly comment on the injustices and inequalities of his time, making the novella a timeless piece of literature. The novella is a prime example of Voltaire’s sharp intellect and critical thinking, showcasing his talent for blending entertainment with social commentary. Voltaire, a prominent figure of the French Enlightenment, drew inspiration from the injustices he observed in society and used his writing to advocate for reason and tolerance. ‘The Sincere Huron’ is a must-read for those interested in satire, social critique, and the Enlightenment period, offering a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of human nature and society.

A propos de l’auteur

François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a towering figure of the French Enlightenment, a period marked by intellectual ferment and the promotion of secular values and freedoms. Voltaire (1694–1778) was a prolific writer, philosopher, and wit, whose oeuvre spans plays, poems, novels, essays, historical and scientific works, over 21, 000 letters, and more than two thousand books and pamphlets. Among his most celebrated works is ‘Candide, ou l’Optimisme’ (1759), a satirical novella that critiques the optimistic philosophies of the day through the tribulations of its protagonist. Voltaire’s ‘The Sincere Huron’ (French: ‘L’Ingénu’, 1767) follows this satirical tradition, presenting the story of a naive Huron called ‘Child of Nature’ who navigates French society with a mix of innocence and critical insight, laying bare its hypocrisies and injustices. Voltaire’s mastery lay in his incisive use of wit to question established norms and to advocate for tolerance, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. Renowned for his advocacy for civil liberties, his literary style combined sharp satire with elegance, making him one of France’s greatest writers and a preeminent figure of Enlightenment thought. His works have profoundly influenced Western philosophy and literature.