Ever feel like the universe is just too big to wrap your head around? Voltaire felt that way too, and in 1752 he wrote one of the first science fiction stories to prove it. Micromegas is a cosmic adventure that's surprisingly modern for its age.

The Story

The story follows Micromegas, a being from a planet orbiting Sirius who is, quite literally, astronomically huge. After getting into some philosophical trouble at home, he goes on a grand tour of the universe. He picks up a friend from Saturn (who seems tiny to him), and together they visit Earth. To them, our planet is a mere mudball, and humans are microscopic specks. Using a diamond as a microscope, they finally notice these tiny, talking creatures. What follows is a very funny and deeply humbling conversation where these cosmic giants try to understand human nature, our wars, our science, and our immense pride, all from their god's-eye view.

Why You Should Read It

What blew me away was how fresh this 270-year-old story feels. Voltaire isn't just making jokes about size; he's questioning the whole idea of human importance. When the giants hear humans bragging about their achievements, their reaction is pure gold—a mix of pity and disbelief. It's a masterclass in perspective. Reading it, you get this wonderful feeling of your own problems shrinking down to their proper, tiny size. It's philosophy disguised as a fun, interplanetary fable.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect book for curious readers short on time. If you like classic sci-fi like Gulliver's Travels or the satirical bite of Candide, you'll love this. It's also great for anyone who needs a gentle reminder not to take themselves—or humanity—too seriously. At under 50 pages, it's a bite-sized piece of genius you can finish in one sitting, and it'll stick with you long after.