The Abyssinian

The Abyssinian (L'Abyssin) is a 1997 historical adventure novel by Jean-Christophe Rufin.

Plot introduction
The Abyssinian tells the story of a young French physician who is sent as part of a diplomatic mission to Abyssinia in the early eighteenth century. Along the way he must face various perils while trying to win over his true love.

Characters in "The Abyssinian"

 * Jean-Baptiste Poncet: a French apothecarian who has been practicing medicine without a formal license.
 * Maître Juremi: a colleague of Jean-Baptiste who has fled France because of his Protestant religious beliefs
 * Monsieur de Maillet: the French consul in Cairo
 * Monsieur de Macé: an expert linguist who works for Monsieur de Maillet