Cover of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

by Samuel Johnson

Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia" by Samuel Johnson is a philosophical tale published in 1759. Prince Rasselas, fourth son of the King of Abyssinia, lives confined in the beautiful Happy Valley until his turn for the throne arrives. Growing weary of artificial pleasures, he escapes with his sister Nekayah, her attendant Pekuah, and the philosopher Imlac to search for true happiness in the wider world. Their journey through Egypt exposes them to various walks of life and adventures, each revealing new insights about human existence and the elusive nature of contentment.

  • Satire
  • Princes
  • Happiness
  • Ethiopia

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #652. Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia on Wikipedia.

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