Micromegas: Philosophical History - Paperback

by M. Beuchot (Author), Doud Publishing (Author), Voltaire (Author)

This novel can be seen as an imitation of Gulliver's Travels. It contains many allusions. The dwarf of Saturn is Mr. Fontenelle. Despite his gentleness, his carefulness, his philosophy, all of which should endear him to Mr. Voltaire, he is linked with the enemies of this great man, and appears to share, if not in their hate, at least in their preemptive censures. He was deeply hurt by the role he played in this novel, and perhaps even more so due to the justness, though severe, of the critique; the strong praise given elsewhere in the novel only lends more weight to the rebukes. The words that end this work do not soften the wounds, and the good that is said of the secretary of the academy of Paris does not console Mr. Fontenelle for the ridicule that is permitted to befall the one at the academy of Saturn.

Author Biography

François-Marie Arouet (A.K.A Voltaire) was the youngest child of François Arouet and Marie Marguerite Daumand. He was a free-thinker and a very prolific author, born in Paris France, who lived from November 21rst,1694 to May 30th, 1778. His views put him at odds with the authorities of his time. He was arrested and exiled on multiple occasions. For that reason, he frequently used fiction as a safer means to express his views. He wrote plays, poems, novels, essays, and wrote about historical events and scientific matters. He wrote in excess of 2,000 books and more than 20,000 letters. Through his writing, he courageously criticized Catholicism, intolerance and the established institutions of his time, in spite of the peril of severe repercussions under the strict censorship laws of that time. He was a courageous man who was hundreds of years ahead of his time. He did not allow the ignorance of the times and fear of consequences to stifle his voice of reason.