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Title: The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith, Timothy West ISBN: 0-7451-2703-7 Publisher: Chivers Audio Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 1994 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $54.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.18 (11 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Faith and Family
Comment: Goldsmith's only novel, The Vicar of Wakefield, is, as another reviewer pointed out, a modern (1766) version of the book of Job. In the book of Job, Satan attempts to make a fool of God and at the same time attack Job. Satan accomplishes this by arguing that the godliness of Job, who is God's beloved, is motivated by self-interest alone. God allows Satan to test Job in order that God and Job be vindicated.

In Goldsmith's story, Dr. Primrose is a priest with a loving wife and 6 wonderful children. They have an elegant house, the respect of their neighbors and the means to help others less fortunate. We are barely introduced to Dr. Primrose and his family when they are beset by misfortune. Their wealth is stolen and they must give up their family home and move to a distant village. From this point on, a series of ever increasing calamities occur.

Through it all we know that Dr. Primrose and family will persevere even if we can't anticipate all the twists and turns in the story. With that said, Dr. Primrose is not perfect. The introduction makes clear that he is possessed of intellectual pride. This measure of sin lends the story an air of authenticity that would be missing if Dr. Primrose was perfection personified. As a side note, the Penguin edition of this book does have a useful introduction which helps to frame the issues Goldsmith was trying to communicate as well as providing context for the times. The end notes are also of tremendous help.

The ending may be unlikely but the message of faith and family love endures. Don't let the age of this classic novel prevent you from enjoying its wit and wisdom.

Rating: 5
Summary: "It is no easy matter to get into the families of the great"
Comment: The plot of the 18th century novel, "The Vicar of Wakefield" makes the book sound like a soap opera. It's the tale of a sweet, unworldly vicar--Dr Primrose--who leads a simple but satisfying life with his large family. When the book begins, Primrose is cognizant of his good fortune. He loves his wife, he's proud of his six children, and they live "in a state of much happiness." And indeed, Primrose's description of his family life certainly does sound rather enviable. Even such minor tribulations as Mrs. Primrose's "custards plundered by cats" seem amusing.

Just as we are introduced to the delights of the Primrose family, their fortunes change rapidly. It seems that the merchant company holding Primrose's fortune is bankrupt. Things go downhill for the Primroses from here on. At first they move to a small country vicarage where Primrose also plans to manage a farm. They meet Squire Thornhill, and he appears to be a perfect gentleman. Squire Thornhill is soon a frequent visitor at the Primrose home, and he is clearly an admirer of the eldest, beautiful daughter, Olivia. Mrs. Primrose is practically rubbing her hands with glee at the prospect of marrying her penniless daughter off to the Squire. In her case, the desire for social advancement--or wishful thinking--undermines whatever common sense she was born with, and Mrs. Primrose ignores some rather obvious danger signals.

"The Vicar of Wakefield" is a delightful example of the 18th century novel. The novel has a certain cosy feel to it, and the characters--especially the vicar--are endearing. The novel is loaded with wisdom generally delivered through the character of the poor, much-put-upon Primrose. Primrose, for example, cautions both his wife and his daughters against encouraging a social relationship with the Squire. Primrose believes that "disproportioned friendships ever terminate in disgust," but the Vicar's wish is overridden and hence the drama begins. For a reader not used to 18th century language, Goldsmith's style needs some getting used to, but it's really worth the effort. "The Vicar of Wakefield" incidentally, includes three of Goldsmith's poems within the text of the novel. These three poems are "The Hermit: or Edwin and Angelina," "When Lovely Woman Stoops to Folly," and "Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog."--displacedhuman

Rating: 1
Summary: Don't read this book while operating heavy machinery.
Comment: Holy god, don't buy this book. It is intensely bad and over-appreciated. 1000 words cannot even begin to do justice to the extent of this book's worthlessness.

Clearly, 18th Century vernacular is a hurdle in any book, but I doubt Garrison Keillor could rework this story into something bearable. The story is an exercise in description and banality. There is virtually no inertia or direction to the plot, and characterization is hopelessly shallow.

Seriously, don't get this book. I'm warning you. I love great literature, and I hate this book. Ok..."hate" is a little rough, but I really, really don't like it. Try something more enjoyable; like stapling your hand to your eyelid.

Ok, just so I have not wasted all your time, read anything by Wilde or Kafka instead. Read some freaking Mark Twain, for goodness sake. Just lay off the Goldsmith.