Rasselas (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Samuel Johnson
- First Published: 1759
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Philosophical realism
- Subjects: Africa or Africans, Philosophy or philosophers, Escapes, Marriage, Eighteenth century, Inheritance or succession, Egypt or Egyptians, Princes or princesses
- Locales: Cairo, Egypt, Abyssinia
Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia, tires of the Happy Valley where he lives in seclusion while waiting to assume the throne. With the poet Imlac as their guide, Rasselas, his sister, and her maid leave the Valley and travel throughout the Middle East in search of a happy life. His experiences in both city and country offer Rasselas no satisfaction; nowhere can he find a pleasant existence. He comes to understand that life is an experience that must be endured, and whatever happiness comes to man does so only fleetingly. Finally weary of his journeys, Rasselas decides to return to the Happy...
[The entire page is 503 words long]
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