The Vicar of Wakefield

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The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale, Supposed to Be Written by Himself is a 1766 sentimental novel by Anglo-Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774). It was written from 1761 to 1762 and published in London in 1766. It was one of the most popular and widely read 18th-century novels among the British citizenry, and remains a classic of English literature. The work also saw over 200 editions being printed during the same period and was considered a staple of English reading novels. The novel follows the Primrose family's journey from wealth, joy, and prosperity to hardship, ruin, and social disgrace, ultimately culminating in their return to happiness and good social standing. Through a series of unexpected events and incidents, as well as the arrival of Sir William Thornhill, the family slowly overcome their difficulties and regain their former status. Goldsmith uses a variety of methods, including satire and comedy, to expose the moral failings, indifference, and hypocrisy of the upper classes...

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