The Forged Coupon

The Forged Coupon, Tolstoy's final novella, is a brilliant study of evil's devastating power set against a masterful depiction of Russian life. Stepan, unavoidably enslaved by the power his crimes bring him, continues down the path of evil, remorselessly seeking new opportunities to murder and maim. When one of his victims refuses to concede to him and instead dies with pity on her lips, he is haunted by her image. Suddenly, he is forced to choose between continuing his criminal career and facing the consequences of his actions.

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, more commonly known as Leo Tolstoy, was a colossus of Russian literature and is often considered one of the greatest novelists of all time. Born on September 9, 1828, into Russian nobility, Tolstoy's profound moral philosophy and keen observation of human life manifest themselves in his literary works. His early experience in the army and his travels provided him with a wealth of insight that he expressed powerfully in his writing. Tolstoy is most celebrated for his epic novels 'War and Peace' (1869) and 'Anna Karenina' (1877), which offer detailed portrayals of Russian society with a depth and realism that was unparalleled at the time. Beyond these masterpieces, Tolstoy also explored moral themes and the nature of justice in his later works such as 'The Forged Coupon' (1911), a novella that delves into the consequences of a seemingly insignificant sin echoing through various lives. His storytelling combined with philosophical exploration contributed significantly to the development of realism in literature and influenced generations of writers. Tolstoy's literary style is marked by complex characters, intricate plots, and an underlying search for truth and morality. Even today, his works challenge readers to contemplate life's most profound questions and remain crucial to the canon of world literature. Tolstoy passed away on November 20, 1910, but left an indelible mark on the world through his contributions to both literature and social thought.