L'ingénu by Voltaire

ou L'Enfant trouvé

The novel tells the story of a Huron, referred to as the "Ingénu," who arrives in France and navigates the complexities of European society with his straightforward and honest nature. His interactions with the French reveal the absurdities and hypocrisies of the social, religious, and political institutions of the time. Through his innocent perspective, the narrative critiques the corruption and irrationality prevalent in 18th-century France, highlighting themes of freedom, justice, and the clash between natural human instincts and societal conventions.