The Forged Coupon is a novella in two parts by Leo Tolstoy. Though he first conceived of the story in the late 1890s, he did not begin writing it until 1902. After struggling for several years, he finally completed the story in 1904; however, it was not published until some of Tolstoy's shorter works were collected and anthologized after his death in 1910. Young Mitya is in desperate need of money to repay a debt, but his father angrily denies him assistance. Dejected, Mitya simply changes a $2.50 note to read $12.50, but this one evil deed sets off a chain of events that affects the lives... of dozens of others. When his one falsehood indirectly causes a man to murder a woman at the end of Part I, and then seek redemption through religion in Part II. Having written the novella in his dying years, after his excommunication, Tolstoy relishes the chance to unveil the "pseudo-piety and hypocrisy of organized religion." Yet, he maintains an unwavering belief in man's capacity to find truth, so the story remains hopeful. or "The Counterfeit Note" or "The Forged Banknote.
more
| Author: | Leo Tolstoy |
| Genre: | Fiction |
| Year published: | 1911 |
| Number of editions: | 3 |