THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD

In THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD--Oliver Goldsmith's short 1766 novel, a humorous, sentimental, melodramatic fairy tale--a pious vicar, Dr. Primrose, relates his and his (sometimes feckless) family's travails and changing fortunes. Christopher Robbie reads with the rhetorical formality we would expect of the period and character, and skillfully conveys the vicar's innocent propriety. Robbie also captures Primrose's occasional naïveté and silliness, while keeping him sympathetic. While his voice is pleasant and expressive, his one fault is a nearly constant quaver, as if Primrose were infirm or always on the verge of tears. This is much reduced when he takes on other voices but, nonetheless, mars a fine performance. W.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]