Princess Tarakanova. Burned Moscow

The action of the novel "Princess Tarakanova" begins in the winter of 1775. A young aristocrat appears in Europe, claiming to be the daughter of Empress Elizabeth from her secret marriage to her favorite Alexei Razumovsky. Princess Tarakanova announces her claims to the Russian throne and tries to enlist the support of European monarchs and influential Russian nobles, including the powerful Count Orlov. The princess is unaware that Empress Catherine has already instructed her loyal count to capture the "adventuress" and bring her to Petersburg. The novel "Burned Moscow" narrates the gravest days of the Patriotic War of 1812 when, shortly after the Battle of Borodino, Field Marshal Kutuzov decides to surrender the former capital of the Russian state to the French. Napoleon's troops occupy Moscow, believing they have won the war. However, the city left by the Russian troops quickly turns into a real hell for its occupiers.