The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

Historically recognized as the man who wrote the dictionary, Dr. Johnson amplified his literary fame with the 1759 publication of “The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia”. This novel was wildly popular upon its release, despite the fact that Johnson completed the work in the evenings of a single week, donning it his “little story book”. The story is of a royal brother and sister who have been kept in a luxurious, fertile valley, where their every desire is quickly fulfilled, and where they are closed off from the problems and suffering of the outside world. However, dissatisfied with their state of affairs, the two escape from the valley with a wise philosopher, and embark on a long journey through the worlds of rich men and lowly peasants, great intellectuals and merchants, monks and ruthless warriors. For centuries, readers have enjoyed this moving story of romantic love, imagination, science, and the eternal search for true happiness. This edition includes a biographical afterword.