Publisher's Synopsis
The History of the Caliph Vathek: Also Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia is a book written by William Beckford and published in 1883. The book is divided into two parts, the first being the story of the Caliph Vathek and the second being the story of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia. The story of the Caliph Vathek is set in the 9th century and follows the life of a powerful and wealthy ruler who becomes obsessed with obtaining more power and knowledge. He makes a pact with the devil and descends into a life of hedonism and corruption, ultimately leading to his downfall.The story of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia is set in an imaginary kingdom and follows the life of a young prince who is discontented with his luxurious lifestyle and sets out on a journey to discover the meaning of life. Along the way, he encounters various characters and experiences, ultimately leading him to a greater understanding of the world and his place in it.The book is known for its vivid descriptions of exotic locations and characters, as well as its exploration of themes such as power, corruption, and the search for meaning in life. It has been praised for its literary style and influence on Gothic literature.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
