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A review by kbkittyb
The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
3.0
*3.5*
I liked it. I dont think there should be any debate on whether this is a satire/comedy of manners as, to me at least, there is no other alternative that would reflect Goldsmiths design appropriately. This is a mockery of contemporary society; portraying its extremes from hypocritical pious morality to temptation of sin at its worst. We only have to do a very brief bit of research into Goldsmith to find out that his personality and humour outside of writing was of the same witty/mocking sort.
Although a comedy (a comedy at that time does not match out current version of comedy, and that's okay!), there is also much wisdom to be found. Many of the tangents regarding politics and law are still very applicable to today's world.
There are many elements of the 'sensationalist' novel that were rising in popularity, hence why it can feel very far-fetched and unrealised to modern readers. However, I think these elements were written to criticise and mock this form of literature, not to emulate it as such.
Naturally I don't agree with some of the popular thinking of the time in relation to misogyny and class-ism, however, I can appreciate that this was just the nature of the beast at the time.
I think you would already need to be acquainted with the style and form of 16th century comedy in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this book (my mum absolutely hated it!), but for those that can appreciate subtle indictments against society, it is a good read.
I genuinely enjoyed it...
I liked it. I dont think there should be any debate on whether this is a satire/comedy of manners as, to me at least, there is no other alternative that would reflect Goldsmiths design appropriately. This is a mockery of contemporary society; portraying its extremes from hypocritical pious morality to temptation of sin at its worst. We only have to do a very brief bit of research into Goldsmith to find out that his personality and humour outside of writing was of the same witty/mocking sort.
Although a comedy (a comedy at that time does not match out current version of comedy, and that's okay!), there is also much wisdom to be found. Many of the tangents regarding politics and law are still very applicable to today's world.
There are many elements of the 'sensationalist' novel that were rising in popularity, hence why it can feel very far-fetched and unrealised to modern readers. However, I think these elements were written to criticise and mock this form of literature, not to emulate it as such.
Naturally I don't agree with some of the popular thinking of the time in relation to misogyny and class-ism, however, I can appreciate that this was just the nature of the beast at the time.
I think you would already need to be acquainted with the style and form of 16th century comedy in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this book (my mum absolutely hated it!), but for those that can appreciate subtle indictments against society, it is a good read.
I genuinely enjoyed it...