The Moor of Peter the Great

«Arap of Peter the Great» is a historical fiction novel by Alexander Pushkin about the fate of Ibrahim, an African who became Peter I’s godson. The Tsar sends him to study in France, where Ibrahim makes a military career: he serves in artillery, takes part in combat, and is promoted to captain. However, instead of returning soon, he remains in Paris for a long time because of his relationship with Countess Leonora D. They have a child, and to avoid a public scandal, the infant is secretly swapped.

Despite everything he has experienced, Ibrahim eventually decides to return to Russia.

At court, he quickly becomes a noticeable figure: he becomes involved in state affairs and gradually grows accustomed to the Russian reality new to him.

Ibrahim meets Natasha Rzhevskaya, and by the will of Peter and her father they decide to betroth them. But Natasha loves someone else…