The Vicar of Wakefield

First published in 1766, The Vicar of Wakefield is Oliver Goldsmith's enduring novel of domestic trial, moral constancy, and gentle satire. Told in the voice of Dr. Charles Primrose, a country clergyman devoted to family and principle, the narrative follows the Primrose household through financial ruin, deception, misfortune, and eventual restoration. Goldsmith blends sentimental fiction with irony, portraying the quiet dignity of provincial life while subtly exposing vanity, hypocrisy, and social ambition. At once comic and earnest, the novel reflects the moral fiction of the eighteenth century while anticipating later domestic narratives. Its episodes of imprisonment, mistaken identity, and romantic intrigue unfold within a framework that prizes humility, charity, and resilience. Though shaped by the conventions of its time, the story's warmth and humanity have secured its lasting place in English literature. This SMK Books edition presents the complete, unabridged 1766 text.