The Forged Coupon by Leo Tolstoy

Name: The Forged Coupon
Author: Leo Tolstoy

A young nobleman's life is turned upside down when he discovers a forged coupon that allows him to attend a high-society ball for free. He becomes embroiled in a complex web of deceit and social hierarchy, forcing him to confront the superficiality of his own class.

By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary · 42 chapters · 31,085 words

First lines

Fedor Mihailovich Smokovnikov, the president of the local Income Tax Department, a man of unswerving honesty -- and proud of it, too -- a gloomy Liberal, a freethinker, and an enemy to every manifestation of religious feeling, which he thought a relic of superstition, came home from his office feeling very much annoyed. The Governor of the province had sent him an extraordinarily stupid minute, almost assuming that his dealings had been dishonest.

Fedor Mihailovich felt embittered, and wrote at once a sharp answer. On his return home everything seemed to go contrary to his wishes.

What this Textopian page supports

The Forged Coupon is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1911 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Date: 1911 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Short Story, Moral Tale
Length: 31,085 words
Structure: 42 chapters, 513 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, human nature, and societal issues through a nuanced narrative.
Philosophical Fiction — It delves into philosophical questions about ethics, the consequences of actions, and the nature of truth.
Social Commentary — The story critiques social norms and the impact of individual choices on society.
Short Story — The narrative is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a specific incident and its repercussions.