The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia
New Edition
ISBN13: 9780199229970ISBN10: 019922997X
Paperback,
176 pages
Jun 2009,
In Stock
Price:
$12.95 (11)See more from the series
Description
Rasselas and his companions escape the pleasures of the "happy valley" in order to make their "choice of life." By witnessing the misfortunes and miseries of others they come to understand the nature of happiness, and value it more highly. Their travels and enquiries raise important practical and philosophical questions concerning many aspects of the human condition, including the business of a poet, the stability of reason, the immortality of the soul, and how to find contentment. Johnson's adaptation of the popular oriental tale displays his usual wit and perceptiveness; skeptical and probing, his tale nevertheless suggests that wisdom and self-knowledge need not be entirely beyond reach. This sparkling new edition includes an authoritative introduction by Thomas Keymer relating the story to Johnson's life, thought, and writings; the rise of the novel genre; and the global context of the Seven Years War. Extensive annotations relate the novel to its literary, philosophical, and political contexts.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Features
- An established classic, often compared to Voltaire's CAndide, Rasselas is perhaps its author's most creative work, here presented in a sparkling new edition.
- Authoritative introduction by Thomas Keymer relating the story to Johnson's life, thought, and writings; the rise of the novel genre; philosophical scepticism of the Enlightenment period; literary orientalism; society and the global context of the Seven Years War.
- Authoritative text incorporating Johnson's revisions to the second edition, newly typeset.
- Up-to-date bibliography.
- Extensive explanatory annotation based on original research and relating the novel to its literary, philosophical, and political contexts.
About the Author(s)
Thomas Keymer is Chancellor Jackman Professor of English at the University of Toronto. He co-edited The Cambridge Companion to English Literature from 1740 to 1830.
