Episode One

A classic comic novel from the 18th century.

Life is good to the Reverend Dr Primrose, in his idyllic country parsonage, surrounded by his beloved family. But then his world unravels in a series of misfortunes and calamities.

Episode 1
Life is good for Dr Primrose, until a reversal of fortune means he and his family must leave the parsonage.

Oliver Goldsmith was born in Ireland in 1728. The Vicar of Wakefield was published in 1766. An essayist, dramatist and poet, his other works include the play She Stoops to Conquer and the poem An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog. He died in 1774.

Writer: Oliver Goldsmith
Abridger: Jeremy Osborne
Reader: Edmund Kingsley
Producer: Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4