The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (Penguin Classics)

by Samuel Johnson (Author), Paul Goring (Introduction)

• New

  Paperback
  2007

  $12.22

  Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia, leaves the easy life of the Happy Valley, accompanied by his sister Nekayah, her attendant Pekuah, and the much-travelled philosopher Imlac. Their journey takes them to Egypt, where they study the various conditions of men's lives, before returning home in a 'conclusion in which nothing is concluded'. Johnson's tale is not only a satire on optimism, but also an expression of truth about the human mind and its infinite capacity for hope.

• Used

  Paperback
  2000

  $3.25

  This book comes with an introduction and notes by Michael Irwin, Professor of English Literature, University of Kent at Canterbury. Rasselas is a provocative fable about 'the choice of life'. Bored by the endless contentment of 'the happy valley' in which he has been brought up, Prince Rasselas escapes with his sister. They rove the world searching for the secret of happiness and striving to find the ideal way to live. Repeatedly the pleasures they glimpse dissolve on closer acquaintance, and the great men they admire prove flawed. Where, then, are happiness and purpose to be found? These questions, of course, remain open for each generation; but none has discussed them with more wisdom and humanity than Dr. Johnson. Rasselas is a searching and often darkly humorous commentary on the human condition as well as a classic of English prose.