A book by one of the most talented poets of the Silver Age, Mikhail Kuzmin — an enthralling account of the life and adventures of Count Cagliostro, the most mysterious and ambiguous figure of the 18th century. This biography was meant to become part of a planned but unrealized series of entertaining life stories, “New Plutarch.”
Who, then, was Giuseppe Balsamo, who entered history as Count Cagliostro? An all-powerful magician and wizard, or an adventurer and charlatan? A great scientist, or a deceiver and hypnotist who cleverly manipulates people’s minds? There’s no question about one thing: to make the journey from the poor quarters of Palermo to the most brilliant houses of Europe and Russia could only be a talented, outstanding person endowed with extraordinary abilities…