• Book cover of The Pearl: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in Catherine The Great's Russia by Douglas Smith

    A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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The Pearl: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in Catherine The Great's Russia

The Pearl: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in Catherine The Great's Russia

3.69 (rated by 83 readers on Goodreads)
by Douglas Smith
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Filled with a remarkable cast of characters and set against the backdrop of imperial Russia, this tale of forbidden romance could be the stuff of a great historical novel. But in fact The Pearl tells a true tale, reconstructed in part from archival documents that have lain untouched for centuries. Douglas Smith presents the most complete and accurate account ever written of the illicit love between Count Nicholas Sheremetev (1751-1809), Russia’s richest aristocrat, and Praskovia Kovalyova (1768-1803), his serf and the greatest opera diva of her time. Praskovia, trained in Nicholas’s operatic company as a young girl, captured her master’s heart. The book describes Praskovia’s stage career as “The Pearl” and her romance with Nicholas—years of torment, secret marriage, aristocratic outrage, her death days after delivering a son, and Nicholas’s despair. It sheds light on Russian aristocracy, music history, and attitudes toward serfdom, telling a haunting story of love against all odds.

Details of Book

ISBN13: 9780300120417
ISBN10: 0300120419
Language: English
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publication Year: 2008
Format: Hardcover

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A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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  • One Line Summary

    Forbidden love in imperial Russia's aristocracy.

  • Who is this book for?

    If you're drawn to stories of secret romances and historical depth, this book offers a rich tapestry of love and societal constraints. The detailed account of Praskovia and Nicholas's relationship reveals not only their personal passion but also aspects of Russian history and music that are rarely explored. You'll find yourself captivated by their story, set against the lavish yet restrictive backdrop of 18th-century Russia.
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