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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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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