Description
By Oliver Goldsmith. Rediscover one of the great treasures of English literature in this magnificent reprint of the famous Cassell’s Illustrated Edition of The Vicar of Wakefield and Other Works by Oliver Goldsmith.
Beloved for generations, The Vicar of Wakefield remains one of the most charming and enduring novels of the eighteenth century. Blending humor, sentiment, family drama, romance, and moral reflection, Goldsmith’s masterpiece tells the story of the kindly Dr. Primrose and his family as they endure hardship, misfortune, and unexpected reversals with courage, faith, and humanity. Rich in memorable characters and gentle wit, the novel captures the warmth and emotional depth that have made it a classic of English storytelling for more than two centuries.
This distinguished Cassell’s Illustrated Edition elevates the work still further through its beautiful Victorian-era presentation and richly detailed illustrations, which vividly bring Goldsmith’s world to life. Alongside The Vicar of Wakefield, the volume includes a selection of Goldsmith’s other celebrated writings, showcasing the remarkable versatility of one of the eighteenth century’s greatest literary figures.
Goldsmith’s prose combines elegance, humor, compassion, and keen observation of human nature, creating stories that remain both entertaining and deeply moving. His work bridges the worlds of comedy and sentiment, offering readers a timeless portrait of family life, virtue, adversity, and the complexities of society.
More than a novel, this illustrated edition is a work of literary and artistic heritage, reflecting the beauty and craftsmanship of classic nineteenth-century book production. The combination of Goldsmith’s beloved text and Cassell’s celebrated illustrations makes this volume especially appealing to collectors, readers of classic literature, and admirers of fine illustrated books.
This carefully restored reprint revives a literary masterpiece in one of its most admired historical editions, preserving both the enduring brilliance of Goldsmith’s writing and the visual richness that helped make the Cassell’s edition famous.
About the author: Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774) was an Irish novelist, poet, playwright, and essayist widely regarded as one of the great literary figures of the eighteenth century.
Best known for The Vicar of Wakefield, The Deserted Village, and She Stoops to Conquer, he combined wit, humor, and deep humanity in works that remain classics of English literature.
Contents:
The Vicar of Wakefield.
The Deserted Village.
The Traveller.
The Haunch of Venison.
Retaliation.
Stanzas on the taking of Quebec, and death of General Wolfe.
An Elegy on the glory of her sex, Mrs. Mary Blaize.
A Madrigal.
She Stoops to Conquer; or, the Mistakes of a Night.
The Good-natured Man.
