by Leo Tolstoy (Author), David Patterson (Translator), David Patterson (Introduction by)

Out of the initial act of counterfeiting a ruble note grows a series of evil deeds, in this, Tolstoy's last short novel. His theme is the consequences of every human action, for both good and ill: our responsibilities run deep. The escalation of evil can be stopped only by one who humbly absorbs it, without passing it on.