Vicar of Wakefield cover art

Vicar of Wakefield

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Vicar of Wakefield

By: Oliver Goldsmith
Narrated by: Patrick Tull
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About this listen

 Oliver Goldsmith earned instant acclaim when he published The Vicar of Wakefield, a marvelous mixture of burlesque and satire.

The simple village vicar, Mr. Primrose, is living with his wife and six children in complete tranquility until unexpected calamities force them to weather one hilarious adventure after another. Goldsmith plays out this classic comedy of manners with a light, ironic touch that is irresistibly charming.

Public Domain (P)2007 Recorded Books Classics Comedy Funny Witty

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Editor reviews

Patrick Tull’s lively performance of The Vicar of Wakefield shows contemporary listeners why Oliver Goldsmith’s novel was one of the most popular works of the 18th century.

The 1766 novel’s title character, Dr. Primrose, is the kind and generous man of the cloth whose prosperous and happy family life is upended when his money manager leaves town with his savings. As a result, the wedding of the vicar’s son is cancelled and the family is forced to relocate to a poorer parish owned by caddish Squire Thornhill, who takes an interest in the vicar’s daughter.

Tull’s briskly paced performance animates this gentle story of human decency triumphing over treachery.
All stars
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Not a patch on Tom Jones, Tristram Shandy or Humphrey Clinker, I'm afraid. The Vicar of Wakefield is very dated and overly preachy, which I suppose I could have expected. Despite the previous reviews that tempted me, I did not find the fun and wit those other early titles gave me, and was unable to connect with the views of the characters, even the vicar's reaction to his daughter's seduction is a painful listen for the modern ear.
I won't be listening to this one again, although I've listened to the others repeatedly.
The narrator does as good a job as possible, his warm, rich, elderly tones are perfect, and I would happily listen to him reading something more uplifting to my spirit.

No Fielding, Sterne or Smollett...

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