At the beginning of 1736, Voltaire was at the height of his success, receiving praise from the public and fellow-poets alike. The breathtaking breadth of Voltaire's activity this year ranges from comedy, "L'Enfant Prodigue", and a major philosophical poem, "Le Mondain", to public and private verse, including one of his most arresting satires in "Le Crepinade", aimed at Jean-Baptiste Rousseau. Voltaire relished the diversity of his literary output, as he did the stimulation of his burgeoning scientific interests and lively correspondence. However, despite the popular acclaim, literary quarrels and lawsuits caused continuous tension, forcing Voltaire by the end of the year, to flee France and the 'persecution' his fame had brought him.

Following the explosive, unauthorised publication of the "Lettres philosophiques", which revealed a new side of Voltaire to the world, a new chapter of his life began at Cirey with his lover Mme Du Chatelet. Nine years were to pass before he could again live openly in Parisian society. However, this period was among the most creative of Voltaire's life and the multifarious projects of 1734-1735 show an author attacked and exiled but nevertheless able to turn his hand to an astounding range of projects. This volume includes texts as diverse as "Alzire", a tragedy set in sixteenth-century Peru, contrasting the noblest ideals of Christianity to both Incan religion and the dangerous fanaticism of the Conquistadors, the monumental "Traite de metaphysique", and some of Voltaire's first love poems to the marquise Du Chatelet.