Panteleimon Kulish wrote his first novel at the age of 23. The young author was studying the history of Ukraine and reading the works of Walter Scott. Therefore, his Mykhailo Charnyshenko, or Ukraine Eighty Years Ago is also the first Ukrainian historical adventure novel. The events take place in the second half of the eighteenth century, the time of the decline of the Hetmanate. The appeal to the past, intense action, sharp intrigue, romantic passions, demonic natures, ruthless choices faced by the protagonist, and a harsh fate that punishes those who do not respect history and traditions are all elements of the Walterscott recipe and the spirit of romanticism that prevailed in the culture of the time.